Describe what a teacher does and must be aware of in each step of the observation process

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

The three steps of the observation process are observe, record, and interpret.
a. When observing, teachers gather information on a child. They must focus carefully on what they are seeing, noticing details such as the features of a child's body, posture, tone of voice, appearance, ways of moving and manipulating objects, interactions. At the same time, teachers must hold back on any interpretations of what it might mean and judgments about a child on the basis of what they see. They must also be aware of personal biases and preconceptions that may distort observations.
b. In the recording process, teachers compile and organize what they have observed using a variety of techniques such as anecdotal records, running records, time and event samples, checklists, rating scales, or forms of electronic observation. Regardless of the tool chosen, they need to focus on what they want to observe (a child, behavior, kind of learning, interaction, practice, or situation) and gather information objectively.
c. When interpreting, teachers make inferences or conclusions based on what they have observed. Interpretations are stated in tentative words, such as "it seems" or "I think," because no one can truly know the cause of a child's behavior. Teachers need to be careful not to draw sweeping conclusions that reach far beyond what they have actually observed.