How Engaged Are Your Students?

The people doing the most talking and/or writing are doing the most learning.

Who’s doing the most learning in your classroom?

Here is a quick analysis tool that requires only one class period and will provide you with valuable feedback. This observation inventory can help you determine the percentage of time that students are engaged in learning and the depth they are being challenged. It utilizes a quick checklist completed by a peer and a series of reflection questions for the teacher being observed. The peer observation is not meant to be evaluative, but rather a tool for growth.

To get started, pair with another colleague that you are comfortable with and take turns spending time in each other’s class. One partner will observe the class and collect data. Colleagues to pair with might include someone from your department, grade level, team, PLC, the instructional coach/facilitator or maybe even an administrator. The observer will collect information at predesignated time intervals (every 5 minutes works great usually). During the observation your colleague will record the number of students who were disengaged at the end of each interval and the type of activity in which they were involved (large group, small group or centers, pairs, or independent work). The observer also listens to the types of questions being asked to determine whether students are being asked low level questions or higher level questions that require them to “stand on their mental tiptoes”? After the observation, the observer gives the teacher the data sheet. The teacher being observed then analyzes their own data and completes the reflection sheet to set goals for any improvements they may want to make. On another day, the colleagues switch roles.

Teachers who have participated in this type of analysis have often shared that the data was eye opening.

Click here to download forms to help you analyze your student engagement!