Flow

Purpose

To assess learning impacts at random moments in the learning process.

Preparation

Resources

Questionnaire

(If doing Alternative procedure, an alarm clock or bleeper)

Teacher time

Devise a brief questionnaire to find out about pupils' levels of engagement in the work.

Decide at which intervals and during which topic such interventions may be appropriate

Procedure

While the pupils are working on the project the teacher walks round class and taps an individual pupil on the shoulder. The pupil then fills in questionnaire, describing what s/he is doing at the time, how s/he is feeling (rated on several bipolar scales such as bored/interested, happy/sad etc).

Alternative Procedure

While the pupils are working on the project, an alarm clock is set to go off at random intervals. When it bleeps, each pupil fills in the prepared questionnaire.

Advantages of this methodology

• Random intervention
• Looks at feelings about learning
• Fun activity

Disadvantages of this methodology

• Could be disruptive (especially alarm clock)
• If teacher directed (tapping on shoulder), may not be random
• Relatively untested