Notes for Observers of Small Group Trials

Merit Promotion CBI

Ensure students have all necessary materials:

Student study guide
Student surveys
Scratch paper
Pencils
Module review exercise
Answer sheet

Welcome students, thank them for volunteering, and explain the purpose of the student trials--that the lessons are not in final form and may need polish, elaboration, clarification, etc. Their job is to help identify those areas. Tell the students the lessons are designed to be taken without an instructor present, and we're here mainly as observers, not instructors.

Tell students there is a survey we'd like them to fill out after each lesson on the computer. Ask them to use scratch paper to make specific notes that they can transfer to the survey. Most of the official regulations referred to in the lessons are contained in the package students received when they arrived at the school. They need to see school personnel to obtain other publications.

Tell students that at the end of the module is a review exercise consisting of 25 questions selected at random from a pool of questions. Each question is numbered. Before keying in an answer on the computer, ask them to write the answers on their paper answer sheet. Explain this is our only way, at present, to do test item analysis.

Take notes of technical or mechanical errors that arise. DO NOT stop students while they are doing lessons. Help only if they literally are unable to proceed (and note the cause). See attached checklist of factors to observe.

If there is time, interview the group (or one person in another room) after each lesson. Ask about areas where you observed problems.