Instrument 18: Classroom Observations

Instrument 18: Classroom Observations

Culture of Continuous Learning Project: A Breakthrough Series Collaborative for Improving Child Care and Head Start Quality

Participants	Time of Data Collection
BSC Teachers, Non-BSC Teachers (one BSC teacher and one non-BSC teacher chosen at random from each participating center)	Baseline (T1) Midpoint (T2) Post-Test (T3)

Thank you very much for agreeing to participate in this research. Your participation is very important to our research.

1. We are conducting a research study for the Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation at the Administration for Children and Families within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The purpose of this research is to learn about the options for integrating a Breakthrough Series Collaborative (BSC) into early care and education quality improvement systems. The BSC is a specific training approach designed to support learning and improvement among practitioners at all levels of an organization, from directors to teachers who work in a classroom with children. This BSC aims to support children's social and emotional learning practices among staff who work in child care and Head Start settings. The intended use of the information collected is to study whether a BSC can enhance existing Head Start and child care training and technical assistance activities to support social and emotional learning practices.

2. Scheduling and coordinating our visit will last approximately twenty minutes. The observation itself will last two hours but will not require you to do anything you do not normally do.

3. Allowing us to come observe your classroom is voluntary, and you can choose to stop the observation at any time. There is no direct benefit to participating in this observation. We hope the information you provide will benefit the early child care and education field.

4. The observation of your classroom will be recorded. We will not share the video with anyone outside of the research team in any way that will reveal your identity or the identity of children in your classroom. Your identity will be kept private.

5. [For questions:] If you would like a copy of this information or have questions, please email us at [email protected] or the IRB at [email protected] or by phone at 1-855-288-3506.

6. [Send comments:] Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden to Kathryn Tout, [email protected] or Child Trends, 708 N 1^st Suite #333 Minneapolis, MN 55401 Attention: Kathryn Tout

7. [PRA statement:] A Federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and no individual or entity is required to respond to, nor shall an individual or entity be subject to a penalty for failure to comply with a collection of information subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, unless that collection of information displays a currently valid OMB Control Number. The OMB number for this collection of information is 0970-0XXX and the expiration date is XX/XX/XXXX.

Scheduling

Researchers will schedule a mutually agreed upon time with the two teachers in each center during which researchers will record 2 hours of classroom activity during which children will be in the classroom and awake.

Setup in Classroom
Researchers will introduce themselves to the teacher and answer any questions the teacher may have about the process. Researcher will set up in an unobtrusive location. Once set up is complete, researcher will monitor the recording from a separate device outside the classroom, only stepping into the classroom to make adjustments to the equipment as needed.

Helpful links:

Unboxing materials: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9DTqUPYYhzQ&ab_channel=Swivl

Setup: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ls5rTon1RnI&ab_channel=Swivl

Setting Up for Recording:

1. Place tripod in center of the room and mount the Swivl on tripod.

2. Ensure you choose the correct height so you are fully in the frame of the video on the iPad.

3. Place the markers within 3 feet of the students you are trying to record.

4. Loop the string of the lanyard within the primary marker (black).

5. Pull the clip on the lanyard down to allow enough space for the lanyard to go around your neck.

6. Once you put the lanyard around your neck, pull the clip again to ensure the marker sits squarely on your chest. Make sure there is nothing that could interfere with your sound, including jewelry or a zipper.

7. Ensure the marker can be seen from the Swivl device. The swivl device uses the marker to rotate.

8. Choose a shim to ensure your iPad fits correctly on the Swivl. To remove the shim, push it all the way to left and replace it with whichever shim fits the size of the iPad best. Choose the correct shim, and push it all the way to the right of the Swivl.

9. To connect your Swivl, use the lightening cable for iOS devices. Connect one end of cable to the iPad and the other to the back of the device.

10. Turn the Swivl on by pressing the power button.

Logging into Swivl:

1. Download the Swivl app from the app store on the iPad.

2. Register to Swivl using your email address.

Charging the primary marker:

1. On the back of the Swivl, there is a charging port for the primary marker.

2. To ensure the marker charges, match the gold points on the marker to gold points on the Swivl.

To pair additional markers:

1. 2 markers should already be paired with the Swivl device.

2. For additional markers, turn them on by pressing the power button.

3. Turn the Swivl around and place the additional maker on the gold charging pins. You will see that the app is pairing the marker.

4. Docking the marker turns the marker off. Press the power button to turn it back on.

5. All markers besides the are colored. Choose a color for your additional markers and add the corresponding colored sticker to the marker.

Recording and Uploading:

1. Ensure your video will automatically upload by going to the settings on the app and making sure it Auto-upload is switched on.

2. Press the record button on the primary marker.

2. Title your video.

3. The recording should upload automatically.

4. Share the video

Hotspot Device:

1. Data usage and remaining data available can be checked by logging into the Verizon account.

   1. The data usage shown on the device does not appear to be accurate.

Coding:

Recordings of the classroom will be coded using several coding schemes to assess different aspect of the classroom and as a pilot of the various coding schemes used in this context which will inform Phase III data collection. Because we are collecting video observations, applying additional coding systems will not add additional burden for participants. We include information about three possible coding schemes as additional attachments:

1. Observational Coding Scheme 1_Adapted Teaching Style Rating Scale

2. Observational Coding Scheme 2_CLASS sample scoresheet

3. Observational Coding Scheme 3_ Assessing Classroom Sociocultural Equity Scale (ACSES)

4. Observational Coding Scheme 4_Teaching Pyramid Observation Tool (TPOT)

5. Observational Coding Scheme 5_Teaching Pyramid Infant-Toddler Observation Scale (TPITOS)