Systematic Classroom Observation: British Research

Summary

A survey published in 1970 by Simon and Boyer, two American researchers; contained some 79 ‘observation systems’ ‐ sets of instructions or categories which the researcher can use to note down what is happening in the classroom he is observing. Of these, only two were British in origin. The information for this article is derived from a survey of 41 native British systems currently in use (Galton, 1978). In contrast with most of the American studies, which are geared to formal classroom climates, many of the British studies are concerned with the more flexible type of classroom and teaching methods. This perhaps will be one of the distinctive contributions of British researchers to this field, where there is always a danger that formal methods of teaching will receive more attention and seem more productive simply because, by their very nature, they are more amenable to observation and validation. At the same time, much of the British research is simply descriptive, and there is a need for more studies showing the link between teacher behaviour and effectiveness.