The observation schedule in primary school science classes

Abstract

In searching for an adequate descriptive instrument for the classroom environment in which Primary Science Schemes are pursued, the author draws attention to the frequency of unsolicited pupil contributions in the primary classroom, and their value in initiating fruitful learning interactions.

The Science Teaching Observation Schedule of Eggleston, Galton and Jones (1975) is here modified by the addition of four further activity categories in the style of the original schedule, to take account of such pupil contributions. Examples of their use in classroom observations are given.