Handheld Computers: Useful Tools for Classroom Observations
Over two years, Ross Swearingen, principal at Brentwood Elementary School in Victorville (California), has averaged 470 detailed classroom observations. He does it all without lifting a pen — Swearingen, records all observations electronically via his PalmPilot.
Swearingen's average classroom observation lasts about five minutes. After the observation, Sweringen transfers information back and forth between his Palm and office computer, allowing him to store new observations and compare and contrast previous records archived on his office computer. Using FileMaker Pro 6 and FileMaker Mobile for Palm, Sweringen records all of the information from his observation, including date and time of the observation, subject area taught, whether the class session was at, above, or below grade level standard, and percent of students on task. Swearingen keeps an ongoing record of each classroom, tracking the class and monitoring its progress. He shares overall trends at grade level and faculty meetings.
Keeping in close personal contact and building trust with teachers is also one of Swearingen's top priorities. He does this through scheduling confidential one-on-one meetings with staff members. Here, principal and teacher can reflect on individual class data and collaboratively discuss the results of the observations including areas of strength and improvement — both working together to towards an improved classroom curriculum and overall school success.
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