Creating an observation

You can use observations to track how a child is progressing in their development. This includes the option to add an assessment, which allows you to evaluate that child according to your chosen framework. You must fill out at least the Observation field, but all else is optional.

Adding observations on the practitioner app

1. Log in as a practitioner to see the list of children you have access to.
2. Tap a child’s picture to select them.
3. Tap the  New Observation icon at the top.
4. At the top, the date and time will be automatically filled out with the date and time you created the observation. Tap a field to edit it.
   
5. Use the Tags menu in the top right to choose an Observation Tag to show what kind of observation this is: a Baseline, a Parental Observation, a Planned Activity, or other. You can customise observation tags in System Settings. 
   
6. Tap the Media field to add images, videos or audio. You can upload them from your tablet’s Gallery, or access the Camera, Video recording, and Audio recording directly from the app. 
   
7. Tap the Observation field to fill out the main text of the observation.
   
8. The field in the bottom right will depend on what you set as your Main Framework. Tap it to fill out an assessment:
   
1. Check the box next to statements that apply to this child. 
2. Choose assessment levels for aspects and statements by selecting them from the top of the screen or drop-down menus.
3. Tap Show Current Assessment in the top right to see what has been assessed in this child's previous observations. Tap Add to Observation to add the same assessments to this observation, for example if you are creating a baseline for a child. 
   
4. Tap Done when you’re finished.
9. If you want to add a framework that isn't your main one, you can find all your enabled frameworks along the top. Tap a framework to add it to the observation.
   
10. In the Next steps field you can either type freely, or click View Framework to bring up a list of enabled frameworks. Choose one to bring up the framework. Select statements that the child is working towards, much like you would when adding a framework. Tap OK to copy those statements into the text box.
11. Tap the Evaluation and Additional Notes fields to fill them out.
12. Tap the  icon in the top right to add Staff Notes/Insights.
13. Click Save as Draft, or Submit for Review so it can be checked over by a manager before being published.

Spontaneous observations are meant to be less detailed observations that you can make when a child is doing something worth noting. To show this, you can select the Spontaneous Observation tag. This will grey out all but the Media and Observation fields, though you can still edit greyed-out fields by double-clicking them.

Adding observations on the web version

1. Click on  Children in the sidebar.
2. Click on a child to bring up their profile.
3. Click on Learning Journey.
4. Click Add Observation in the top right.
5. The Date and Time field is automatically filled out with the date and time you created the observation. Click on the field to edit it.
6. Check the appropriate boxes to choose Observation Tags to show what kind of observation this is: a Baseline, a Parental Observation, a Planned Activity, or other. You can customise observation tags in System Settings. 
7. Click Upload in the top right to add media (images, video, audio) to the observation.
   
8. Click on the Observation field to fill out the main text of the observation.
   
9. Click Add Assessment in the bottom right to add a framework to the Observation. This will be your Main Framework by default, but you can switch between enabled frameworks by clicking on the tabs:
1. Check the box next to statements that apply to this child. 
2. Choose assessment levels for aspects by selecting an option along the top. You can choose assessment levels for individual statements by clicking on Select next to a statement and choosing from the menu.
3. Click Done when you’re finished.
10. In the Next Steps field, you can either type freely, or click  View Framework just above the text box to bring up a window letting you select statements from enabled frameworks. Click OK to copy those statements into the text box.
    
11. Click on the Evaluation, Additional Notes, and Staff Notes/Insights fields to fill them out.
12. Click Save as Draft, or Submit for Review to post it to the child’s Learning Journey.

Practitioners with Can Publish Observations ticked on their profile will be able to Publish observations directly to the child's Learning Journey. 

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