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West Visayas State University

College of Education

GRADUATE SCHOOL

SPD 504Construction and Application of Assessment Tool

Prof. Sherbeth Consebit

Reporter: Mary Christine Cuevas

M.Ed. Sped

Assessing Behavior through Observation

Goals

Understands the general conditions of conducting the conditions of observation,defining conditions to be observed, behavioral topographies, and functions and

measurable characteristics of behavior

Understand that observation require careful sampling of context, times andbehaviors.

Understand that conducting systematic observations require careful preparation,precise data gathering , procedures for summarizing data and criteria for evaluating

the observed performances.

General Considerations in Conducting observation

Teachers should constantly monitor themselves and their students. Teachers notice behavior or situations that seem important and require their

attention.

Often the result of general monitoring, teachers look for a specific behavior toobserve .

Systematic observations are also used to inform placement and instructionaldecisions.

2 Basic Approaches to Observation

Qualitative Observation usually occur without predetermining the behaviors to beobserved or the time and contexts to be observe. The observer monitor and

memorizes observation through narrative.

Quantitative Observation

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5 steps that occur before the observation

The behavior is defined precisely and objectively The characteristics of the behavior are specified Procedures for recording are developed The times and places for observation are selected and specified Procedures are developed to assess interobserver agreement

Live or Aided Observation

Quantitative analysis of behavior can occur in real time or after the behavior hasoccurred by means of devices such as video or audio recorders that can replay, slow

down or speed up records of observation . Observation can be enhanced with

equipment or it can only occur with the observers unaided senses.

Obtrusive vs. Unobtrusive Observation Observation are called obtrusive when it is obvious to the person being observed

that he or she is being observed .

When observation are unobtrusive the people being observed do not realize that they are

being watched

Contrived vs. Naturalistic Observation

Contrived observation occur when a set up is introduced into it. Naturalistic Observation occur in settings that are not contrive.

Defining Behavior

Behavioris defined in its topography , its function and its characteristics. The function that

the behavior serves in the environment is not directly observable, whereas the

characteristics and topography of behavior can be measured directly.

The measurement of behavior, whether an individual behavior or category of behavior is based on

four characteristics:

1.

Duration

the length of time a behavior lasts. The behavior is standardized in two ways:average duration or total duration

2. Latency refers to the length of time between a signal to perform and the beginning of the

behavior.

3. Frequency how often they occur.

Frequency how often they occur.

4. Amplitude refers to the intensity of the behavior