We trained ourselves as observers to reliably document instruction in the lessons we observed based on our modification of Newmann «s
assessment of authentic instruction.313 We recorded what we saw and heard on an observation form that included two main sections: 1) basic information about the context, details of the lesson, how
class time was used, how students were organized for instruction and learning, the kinds of technology used
during the lesson, and a description of any positive or negative features in the classroom; and 2)
assessments of instruction using four of Newmann's five standards of authentic instruction: higher order thinking, deep knowledge, substantive conversation, and connection to the world beyond the classroom.
During her
time at the ARL, as both a volunteer and an employee, she taught Dog Companion / Dog Body Language
classes to new volunteers, co-taught Puppy and the Good Manners
classes and was a member of the behavior
assessment team.
Teachers may be able to modify
assessment tasks to relieve some of the pressure, for example, by providing breaks
during or extra
time for tests, or having children present to small groups rather than the whole
class.