Observation and assessment are both time consuming and this time is wasted if what is learned about the children is not used to make planning for their individual needs relevant and purposeful.
It is important to ensure that pace of learning is planned for and is monitored to ensure a raising of attainment.
Consider these questions when planning for assessment and observation:
What evidence is required?
Is the assessment to find out what children already know/can do or what they know /can do after a period of teaching?
Is the evidence best gathered during or after the learning activity?
Who will gather the evidence?
What technique best serves the assessment purpose?
How and by whom will the evidence be recorded?
Please see below examples of observational techniques.
