Method and System for Real-Time Observation Assessment

Abstract

Techniques for real-time observation assessment are provided. The techniques, which are designed for educators, take advantage of handheld computers, desktop / laptop computers and Internet access in order to reduce the paperwork associated with conventional educational assessments. An array of instructional assessment applications are designed to run on handheld computers. The instructional assessment applications may be based on existing and widely used paper methodologies. A common Web-based platform for assessment application distribution, selection, download, data management and reporting is also provided. Users can then periodically synchronize instructional data (assessments, diagnostic results, notes and / or schedules) to the Web site. At the Web site, browser-based reports and analysis can be viewed, administered and shared via electronic mail.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10 / 197,482, filed Jul. 18, 2002, and titled SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REAL-TIME OBSERVATION ASSESSMENT, which claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60 / 305,887, filed Jul. 18, 2001, both of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates generally to computer information gathering and processing systems, and more particularly to a computer-based system and method for performing real-time educational assessments. [0004] 2. Related Art [0005] In today's technological environment, many advances have been made in the fields of software and computing. More specifically, the advent of smaller, faster and more powerful laptops, mobile computing devices, personal digital assistants (PDAs) and the like, along with the increasing accessibility of the global, public ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0016] An advantage of the present invention is that it allows for more standardized data capture. That is, teachers often vary in the ways they capture and report assessment data. The present invention, however, helps to ensure that different teachers are generating comparable data for more meaningful observational assessment data comparison and analysis.

[0017] Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides immediate analysis and calculation of key statistics and elimination of “after-the-fact” data entry. Because assessments are often administered under severe time constraints, teachers often postpone the important numerical analysis until much later. In some cases, teachers must enter their written data into a computer analysis system. Providing immediate analysis, however, can speed the teacher's ability to take follow-up actions with students.

[0018] Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides streamlined reporting of assessment results and student needs. Teachers have to generate reading progress reports for administrators and parents. The conventional process currently involves a great deal of searching files for relevant assessments, and then “cutting and pasting” them into readable reports or entering assessment results into a computer spreadsheet. The automated data collection and report generation of the present invention reduces this process to a few minutes, thereby reducing teachers' paperwork burden. Furthermore, the reduced administrative burden and speed of the present invention encourages teachers to administer more frequent assessments, thereby benefitting students.

[0019] Yet another advantage of the present invention is that it provides streamlined generation of class-wide progress reports. Teachers and administrators currently create class-wide progress reports to spot when a student or a class is falling behind. Automating these reports, using the present invention, now saves paperwork and can give teaching staff a continuous view of class progress.

[0020] Another advantage of the present invention is that it allows for the aggregation, analysis and reporting of data at the school level, district level or even higher levels. By collecting assessment data from many classrooms into a central repository (unlike classroom desktop-based software applications), these reports and analyses are easily generated without time-consuming and costly collection and collation of data.

[0021] Another advantage of the present invention is that it allows for discretion and non-intrusiveness. The handheld devices on which the assessments of the present invention execute can be used during the reading process without creating a physical barrier between teacher and student. The assessments are easy to use and allow the teacher to keep their attention on the student.

Problems solved by technology

The above-mentioned advances, however, have not touched every aspect of present day life.

The method by which teachers observe and assess student's skills and progress in a particular subject has not changed much over the past few decades and thus, has not benefitted from the above-described advances in the fields of software and computing.

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