World Bank conducted a Snapshot Observation Survey of classroom processes in three states of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Andhra Pradesh.
World Bank conducted a Snapshot Observation Survey of classroom processes in three states of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Andhra Pradesh.
The survey was a part of the “Teacher’s time-on task: Quantity and nature of tasks” study taken up by the World Bank.
The Classroom Snapshot records the environment and the participants in the classroom as if they were being photographed at one instant. It records every person in the classroom in the activity in which they are engaged and shows with whom they are engaged.
The distribution of adults and students among the activities that are occurring simultaneously are recorded as the observer places them on the grid going clockwise around the room. Essentially, the Snapshot provides data to assess the activities occurring, the materials being used, grouping patterns, teacher and adult participation, and students in activities independent of adults. The snapshot can be implemented by computer, resulting in a database that can be used for immediate statistical analysis, or by scantron or paper and pencil for later entry into a database.
New Concept designed and implemented a Classroom Snapshot Observation database application for World Bank. The database application currently caters to the data requirements from 3 states, and may also be scaled up later for other states. This software runs on a Windows platform.
Apart from developing database application New Concept also designed, and processed the snapshot sheets using OMR technology, and process schedules (questionnaire) and log sheets, including data entry and off-site scrutiny.
The development of the software consisted of the following phases:
- Creation and Programming for data structures
- Sample Data Entry from different states with data validation
- Generating sample reports
- Test run of the software
- Refining and fine tuning of the software
- User interface of the software
- Complete Deliverable
- Documentation (Technical, User manual)
- Software handover and training administrators and data entry personnel Software maintenance/warranty
Major findings of the survey were:
- Student attendance & classroom participation levels have significant effects
- Quality of instructional time, in terms of Category I tasks (student centric learning activities) more significantly related to learning outcomes as compared to just quantum of time
- Multi-grade teaching (as practised) negatively related to learning outcomes
- Diversity and deprivation due to home factors need to be addressed in classrooms
