Recording observations on a structured observation sheet
Name:
Date:
Class:
A
Quick Questions
Shade in the A or B circle for each question.
1. Which column layout best suits an observation sheet for watching how students use a dashboard?
2. Which entry records a fact rather than an opinion?
3. What is the purpose of the tally column on an observation sheet?
4. Why include a time and date column on an observation sheet?
5. Which should be decided BEFORE the observation begins?
B
Match the Pairs
Draw a line connecting each item on the left to its match on the right.
| Left column | Right column | |
|---|---|---|
| 1Tally: |||| | AColumn headings that record when each behaviour was seen | |
| 2Time | Date | Behaviour | BDate | Time | Behaviour | Tally | |
| 3Record a fact: describe exactly what the user did, not what you think about it | CA tally count column records how often a behaviour happens, one mark per occurrence | |
| 4A planned sheet has set columns so every observation is recorded in the same way | D10:05 | Clicked Back button 3 times | |
| 510:05 | User looked confused and annoyed | EThere is no time and date column, so the sheet cannot show when each behaviour happened. | |
| 6Behaviour | Tally | FThis records an opinion about feelings, not an observable fact, and it has no tally count. |
C
Definitions
observation sheet
D
Fill in the Blanks
Complete each line of code by filling in the missing parts.
1.
____,Time,Behaviour,Tally
04/03/2025,09:15,Opens help menu,||
2.
Date,Time,_________,Tally
04/03/2025,09:15,Opens help menu,||
3.
Date,Time,Behaviour,_____
04/03/2025,09:15,Opens help menu,||
4.
Behaviour,Tally,Total
Pauses at menu,|||,_
5.
Rule: record facts, not ________
E
Spot the Error
Shade in the letter of the line that contains an error.
Question 1
A
Date: 12/05/2025
B
Behaviour | Tally
C
9:00 | Raises hand | ///
D
9:10 | Leaves seat | //
Question 2
A
Date: 3/06/2025
B
Time | Behaviour | Tally
C
1:00 | Uses phone | ///
D
1:15 | Annoying student | //
Question 3
A
Date: 8/04/2025
B
9:00 | Enters room | lots
C
9:30 | Enters room | //
D
10:00 | Enters room | ////
Question 4
A
Date: some time last week
B
Time | Behaviour | Tally
C
2:00 | Reads silently | ////
Question 5
A
Observer: J. Park
B
Task: Note who seems lazy
C
10:05 | Asks question | //
D
10:20 | Asks question | ///
Answer Key
Recording observations on a structured observation sheet
Section A: Quick Questions
Q1
B — Date, Time, Behaviour observed, Tally
Q2
A — Clicked the filter button 3 times in 2 minutes
Q3
A — To record how often a behaviour happens
Q4
B — To show when each behaviour was seen
Q5
A — The table layout and the behaviours to record
Section B: Match the Pairs
Q1
Tally: |||| → A tally count column records how often a behaviour happens, one mark per occurrence
Q2
Time | Date | Behaviour → Column headings that record when each behaviour was seen
Q3
Record a fact: describe exactly what the user did, not what you think about it → 10:05 | Clicked Back button 3 times
Q4
A planned sheet has set columns so every observation is recorded in the same way → Date | Time | Behaviour | Tally
Q5
10:05 | User looked confused and annoyed → This records an opinion about feelings, not an observable fact, and it has no tally count.
Q6
Behaviour | Tally → There is no time and date column, so the sheet cannot show when each behaviour happened.
Section C: Definitions
Q1
observation sheet — A planned table for recording what, when and how often a behaviour is seen, using tally counts, a time and date column, and facts rather than opinions.Section D: Fill in the Blanks
Q1
Date,Time,Behaviour,Tally
04/03/2025,09:15,Opens help menu,||Q2
Date,Time,Behaviour,Tally
04/03/2025,09:15,Opens help menu,||Q3
Date,Time,Behaviour,Tally
04/03/2025,09:15,Opens help menu,||Q4
Behaviour,Tally,Total
Pauses at menu,|||,3Q5
Rule: record facts, not opinionsSection E: Spot the Error
Q1
B — The header has no Time column. An observation sheet needs a time and date column to show when each behaviour happened. Line 2 should be Time | Behaviour | Tally.
Q2
D — 'Annoying student' is an opinion, not an observable fact. Record the specific behaviour seen, for example 1:15 | Talks to peer | //.
Q3
B — 'lots' is a vague estimate. An observation sheet records how often a behaviour occurs with tally marks, so it should be 9:00 | Enters room | ///.
Q4
A — The date must be an exact date so the observation can be checked later. It should be a recorded date such as Date: 15/05/2025.
Q5
B — 'Seems lazy' is a judgement, not a fact. The task should be to record observable behaviour, such as counting the questions asked.