Deck 3: Being Observed: Discovering Your Competencies

Question 1

A student teacher's sense of humor is important.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

If your cooperating teacher plans a program for children in her care, it may not be a quality or developmentally appropriate program.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

You will not doubt your ability during your student teaching class.

Answer 3

False

Question 4

A CDA is a child development administrator.

Question 5

A peer evaluation is an evaluation from an experienced teacher.

Question 6

If you help a child button his coat, it is better than showing him how to button it himself.

Question 7

Becoming a skilled teacher is a lifelong process.

Question 8

You may be judged on your ability to furnish developmentally appropriate materials.

Question 9

Most observers have a mind-set that guides what they will see.

Question 10

In any observation, there is a chance of misinterpretation.

Question 11

Fortunately, college student teaching supervisors have just a few students to supervise.

Question 12

Clinical supervision methods include pinpointing the focus of the supervisor's visit.

Question 13

The text recommends that you be your own best critic.

Question 14

Competency-based training emphasizes attitudes.

Question 15

Narratives, checklists, rating scales, and videotaping are four well-known observation methods.

Question 16

Reliability of observations is best judged over time.

Question 17

You should look at conferencing with supervisors or cooperating teachers as "report card" times.

Question 18

You will be observed for professional appearance.

Question 19

As a student teacher, you will not need to judge your abilities because many others will be judging them.

Question 20

When less than positive evaluations occur, you need to feel that your evaluator does not like you.

Question 21

Reflective teaching involves patterning oneself after a great teacher.

Question 22

Reliability refers to how easy observation feedback is to understand.

Question 23

Reliability refers to the extent to which observations are consistent over time.

Question 24

A student teacher observer often looks at what the student teacher could have prevented.

Question 25

Peer evaluators are often asked to stick to discussing the areas of improvement that the student teacher should focus on, even if it means being negative.

Question 26

Developmentally appropriate practice (DAP) encourages knowing where every child in your care is at all times.

Question 27

A narrative observation tries to describe everything that occurs.

Question 28

It is suggested that student teachers need to play down their individuality if they wish to be good teachers.

Question 29

Through observation and feedback the student teacher receives objective data that she cannot collect herself.

Question 30

As defined by Katz, disposition is a habit of mind.

Question 31

Formativediscussions finalize your total placement experience and scrutinize the placement site and your competencies.

Question 32

Through observation and feedback the student teacher receives subjective data that she cannot collect herself.

Question 33

The college supervisor may or may not pitch in during an observation.

Question 34

A summative conference sets the stage for later discussions during your student teaching experience.

Question 35

When working with very young children, one should repeat over and over so that children learn something well.

Question 36

Using a variety of tools and forms for observation may help the observer combat their own biases.

Question 37

Similar information gathered in different observations confirms reliability of the measurement.

Question 38

When receiving feedback, it is helpful to restate what you think you heard to check on meaning.

Question 39

College supervisors determine whether or not a student is prepared to graduate after the student teaching experience.

Question 40

Classroom observers put aside biases before beginning an observation.

Question 41

In a co-educator observation

A) the student teacher evaluates the cooperating teacher.
B) the student teacher is evaluated by peers.
C) the cooperating teacher evaluates the student teacher.
D) the supervisor, like the cooperating teacher, actively participates in the classroom.
E) the supervisor evaluates the cooperating teacher.

Question 42

A student teacher's view of competency forms best when

A) others comment on student teaching episodes.
B) children are watched for growth following a student teacher's planned activities or behavior.
C) self-evaluation and feedback are combined.
D) parents assess the student teacher's effectiveness.
E) feedback includes comments from the entire staff.

Question 43

One characteristic of reflective thinking in a student teacher is

A) being conservative and thinking conservatively.
B) never to change one's mind.
C) linking theory with practice.
D) making uniform choices.
E) always being sure about oneself.

Question 44

A formal observation

A) is rarely used because it is time consuming.
B) is defined as the observation that occurs without the supervisor interacting in the classroom at all.
C) is always performed by the cooperating teacher.
D) follows a form and process provided by the NAEYC.
E) has proven to be less reliable than informal observations.

Question 45

Feedback for a student teacher needs to be

A) written.
B) written and oral.
C) positive.
D) delivered with at least one additional person to verify the accuracy of what is being discussed.
E) consistent and constructive.

Question 46

An informal observation is

A) casual and seeks to identify the overall picture of the classroom.
B) not as valuable as a formal observation.
C) rigid and identifies minute details that the student teacher may have overlooked.
D) casual and focuses on small details related to the language that the student teacher uses.
E) reviewed with the student teacher verbally, but no notes are taken.

Question 47

When a supervisor builds trust with a student teacher

A) they have become too close and may not be able to be objective anymore.
B) the student teacher will understand that the supervisor is an advocate for their success.
C) the supervisor will probably ask the student teacher to do extra work for her.
D) the student teacher will be able to bend the rules more often.
E) the supervisor will begin grading her more honestly.

Question 48

All feedback from a cooperating teacher and/or supervisor is

A) valid.
B) questionable.
C) reliable.
D) subjective.
E) based on individual perceptions.

Question 49

Many training programs expect teachers to

A) participate in a one year unpaid internship.
B) quit before graduation.
C) complete a post-test.
D) complete a standards-based professional portfolio.
E) None of these answers are correct.

Question 50

The most widely accepted list of teacher competencies for teachers of children under age five is

A) graduating level competencies.
B) NAEYC competencies.
C) ECE competencies.
D) CDA competencies.

Question 51

Feedback from observing a student teacher

A) is a stimulus for further growth.
B) can help the student by revealing something unknown.
C) is subtle criticism.
D) is a stimulus for further growth and can help the student by revealing something unknown.
E) is a stimulus for further growth and is subtle criticism.

Question 52

Goals of the assessment, evaluation and discussion process include

A) listening without contributing to helpful suggestions and ideas.
B) making assessments through very general feedback.
C) creating a positive student teacher attitude toward self-improvement.
D) preventing the teacher from attempting self-assessment and possibly drawing inaccurate conclusions.
E) All of these answers are correct.

Question 53

The main purpose of developing plans to acquire other teaching skills is to

A) facilitate student teachers' growth.
B) have student teachers learn all listed competencies.
C) make student teachers realize their limitations.
D) make student teachers realize their strengths.
E) make sure the profession maintains quality performance.

Question 54

When speaking about quality in preschool group care, it is safe to assume that quality depends on

A) whether or not a facility is licensed.
B) a planned program.
C) a congruent philosophy.
D) how much the program charges parents.
E) None of these answers are correct.

Question 55

A formal observation is defined as

A) an observation in which the supervisor helps the student teacher handle children.
B) when a supervisor slips in unnoticed and does not actively participate.
C) a time when the student teacher and supervisor cooperate.
D) when a time is set for the supervisor to arrive.
E) when the student teacher and supervisor have agreed on what will be observed.

Question 56

Goals of the assessment, evaluation and discussion process include

A) listening without contributing to helpful suggestions and ideas.
B) making assessments through very general feedback.
C) keeping standards and ethics in mind while core competencies emerge.
D) preventing the teacher from attempting self-assessment and possibly drawing inaccurate conclusions.
E) All of these answers are correct.

Question 57

Summative conference discussions occur

A) often.
B) more frequently than other types.
C) during the ending days and weeks of a student's placement.
D) in the supervisor's office.
E) during the first meeting.

Question 58

It is best for student teachers to seek assessment of their competencies from

A) their college supervisor only.
B) other student teachers.
C) a wide base of observational data.
D) their cooperating teacher.
E) everyone.

Question 59

In student teacher observation, a number of techniques and written instruments are useful, including

A) clinical observation.
B) narratives and time sampling.
C) child achievement analysis.
D) All of these answers are correct.

Question 60

Many training programs accept formal observations as the most reliable method

A) because the observer is able to catch details and watch entire events without being distracted by teacher responsibilities.
B) but don't use them because they are time consuming.
C) even though they are not as accurate or helpful as informal observations.
D) and use them because they are regulated by the NAEYC.
E) because the observer is actively participating as a teacher in the classroom.

Question 61

Possible student teacher observers include

A) self.
B) children.
C) parents.
D) other student teachers.
E) All of these answers are correct.

Question 62

Which of the following is not a desirable personal characteristic of an early childhood teacher?

A) the ability to see the world from a child's point of view
B) the ability to conform to a teaching style that is not their own
C) the ability to assess child growth and development
D) the skill to ask questions of and draw answers from children
E) the ability to reflect back an appreciative attitude

Question 63

Kress concluded that critical thinking skills

A) impair growth and development.
B) are not needed in the early childhood classroom.
C) finishing forming before the age of five, so it is critical that they be developed early.
D) could be increased through training exercises.
E) None of these answers are correct.

Question 64

A pre-observation conference is conducted

A) after the observation so that the teacher can defend her actions.
B) so that the college supervisor can determine possible classroom pitfalls.
C) to warn the student teacher about what the college supervisor will be watching for.
D) so that student teacher's can brief college supervisors about classroom details.
E) by the cooperating teacher so that she can brief the college supervisor about the student teacher's performance.

Question 65

Time sampling is

A) setting aside a set amount of time for task completion.
B) a detailed record of significant incidents or events.
C) when an observer watches and codes a set of specific behaviors within a certain time frame.
D) a form of reporting that attempts to record all that occurs.
E) setting aside a pre-determined amount of time to try something new.

Question 66

Student teachers can positively influence child behaviors

A) by ignoring poor choices and bad behavior.
B) through room settings and routines.
C) but not their language.
D) but not parent behaviors.
E) All of these answers are correct.

Question 67

A summative conference

A) finalizes your total placement experience.
B) sets the stage for future discussions in your student teacher placement.
C) explains goals and time lines.
D) explains evaluative procedures.
E) None of these answers are correct.

Question 68

Post-observation conferences

A) allow the student teacher to defend her actions.
B) are the last opportunity for a student teacher to convince a college supervisor that she is ready to graduate.
C) are a standard procedure that help the student teacher reflect on their skills.
D) usually include an cumulative exam for the student teacher.
E) are conducted by the cooperating teacher.

Question 69

Cognitive coaching is

A) imagining your goals and how you will obtain them.
B) a process that involves student teachers exploring the thinking behind their practices.
C) chanting positive phrases with a mentor to help you feel encouraged and successful.
D) the process of envisioning your goal, writing it on paper and then reading it out loud.
E) when student teachers, cooperating teachers and supervisors spend time brainstorming.

Question 70

The five steps of clinical supervision are

A) the observation, the discussion, the plan, the review and the analysis.
B) the conference, the plan, the implementation, the reflection and the post-conference analysis.
C) the observation, the review/reflection, the response, the change and the plan.
D) the preparation, the pre-observation conference, the observation, the analysis and the post-observation conference.
E) the pre-observation conference, the observation, the analysis, the post-observation conference and the post-conference analysis.

Question 71

Specimen description/narrative is

A) a form of reporting that attempts to record all that occurs.
B) a detailed record of significant incidents or events.
C) video or tape recording short periods of time.
D) used to evaluate new classroom activities.
E) when an observer watches and codes a set of specific behaviors within a certain time frame.

Question 72

Direct observation is

A) conducted by the student teacher about her student teaching environment.
B) conducted by the student teacher about the cooperating teacher that she is working with.
C) accomplished by a recorded specimen description, time sampling, and/or event sampling.
D) conducted by the student teacher and includes information about her environment and cooperating teacher.
E) common in classrooms with more than 30 children.

Question 73

A detailed record of significant incidents or events is

A) event sampling.
B) specimen description.
C) specimen narrative.
D) time sampling.
E) None of these answers are correct.

Question 74

Unobtrusive direct observation is

A) rarely used in an early childhood classroom.
B) more time consuming than obtrusive direct observation.
C) not widely accepted as reliable.
D) where the observer is aware of the process.
E) where data collection occurs without the subject's knowledge.

Question 75

Event sampling is

A) when an observer watches and codes a set of specific behaviors within a certain time frame.
B) a form of reporting that attempts to record all that occurs.
C) video or tape recording short periods of time.
D) a detailed record of significant incidents or events.
E) testing a new activity.

Question 76

Obtrusive direct observation is

A) rarely used in an early childhood classroom.
B) more time consuming than unobtrusive direct observation.
C) not widely accepted as reliable.
D) where the observer is aware of the process.
E) where data collection occurs without the subject's knowledge.

Question 77

Criterion-referenced instrument

A) refers to all unbiased assessment tools.
B) refers to all biased assessment tools.
C) is an analysis of whether the observed person can perform a given task or set of tasks.
D) is another name for an IQ test.
E) None of these answers are correct.

Question 78

Videotaping, audio recording or digitally recording a student teacher

A) is illegal.
B) is an effective observation technique because they can be stopped or replayed during conferencing.
C) is required by the NAEYC.
D) is encouraged, as long as the cooperating teacher is never filmed.
E) is usually done without the student teacher's knowledge to decrease anxiety that she may feel about being recorded.

Question 79

A formative discussion

A) finalizes your total placement experience.
B) sets the stage for future discussions in your student teacher placement.
C) scrutinizes the placement site.
D) scrutinizes your competencies.
E) None of these answers are correct.

Question 80

Areas of competence that receive similar interpretations, from different observers, over a period of time

A) should be of special interest to student teachers.
B) are probably habits that they have no chance of changing.
C) should be ignored.
D) are not as valid as similar interpretations from the same observer over a period of time.
E) should be tested in alternate environments.