Data Collection On Task Completion

Sample Solution

Most Appropriate Recording Procedure for John

Given John's limited resources and the number of students he needs to track, the most appropriate recording procedure for him to use is interval recording. Interval recording involves observing and recording the behavior of interest at predetermined intervals throughout the observation period. This method is efficient and allows John to collect data on multiple students simultaneously.

Full Answer Section

Here are the specific reasons why interval recording is the best choice for John:

1. Efficiency: Interval recording allows John to collect data on multiple students simultaneously by observing them at specific intervals, rather than continuously observing each student throughout the entire class period. This efficiency is crucial given that John does not have an aide or teaching assistant to assist him.
2. Feasibility: With 34 students in his class, John would find it challenging to continuously observe and record the behavior of seven specific students. Interval recording provides a more feasible approach by allowing him to focus on the target students during designated intervals, ensuring he captures enough data without overwhelming himself.
3. Accuracy: Interval recording, when conducted appropriately, can provide accurate data on the occurrence and frequency of target behaviors. By establishing clear observation intervals and using consistent recording methods, John can minimize potential errors and ensure the data accurately reflects the students' task completion behaviors.
4. Versatility: Interval recording can be used to track a variety of behaviors, including task completion. By defining clear criteria for what constitutes "on-task" behavior, John can effectively observe and record whether the target students are engaged in the assigned tasks during the observation intervals.

Implementation of Interval Recording

To effectively implement interval recording, John should follow these steps:

1. Define the target behavior: Clearly define what constitutes "on-task" behavior for the specific tasks he wants to observe. This may involve specifying the types of activities or engagement that indicate focused attention and completion of the assigned tasks.
2. Determine observation intervals: Decide on the length of the observation intervals. This could be 1 minute, 2 minutes, or another appropriate duration based on the nature of the tasks and the frequency of expected task transitions.
3. Develop an observation tool: Create a simple observation tool to record the behavior of each target student during each observation interval. This tool could be a checklist or a table with columns for each student and each observation interval.
4. Conduct observations: During the observation period, observe the target students at the predetermined intervals and record whether they are engaged in "on-task" behavior or not. Mark the observation tool accordingly for each student at each interval.
5. Analyze data: After the observation period, analyze the collected data to determine the percentage of time each student spent engaged in "on-task" behavior. This can be done by calculating the proportion of intervals in which each student was observed to be on-task.

Conclusion

Interval recording is an efficient, feasible, and accurate method for John to collect data on task completion for seven of his students. By following the recommended implementation steps, John can effectively gather valuable information about the students' behavior and use this data to inform instructional decisions.