Observe and Collect Data

During Stages software activities, the instructor can quickly print directly from any screen to capture a learner-generated product.

At the end of each activity, a report with data about the time spent, choices made, response accuracy or work product, input method, prompt type, and time/date stamp are displayed with the learner's name.

The instructional team member may wish to then print that screen or save the information as a text-format electronic file. The file can later be opened in any text program (such as MS Word or SimpleText) or spreadsheet program (such as Excel), and printed for the learner's record of performance as primary evidence focused in a standard learning content area.

Observation guidelines and forms in the Stages kits help the instructor make the most out of an activity session as the data-gathering features of the software enable the observer to focus on noting the learner's behavior and thinking-out-loud responses. Two adults from the instructional team can work together: one adult can encourage the learner and the other can note valuable data about behaviors without being noticed by the learner. Alternatively if a video or still camera is available, it may be directed at the learner and the computer monitor to discreetly record interactions and other behaviors while one adult coaches.