Classroom Observation

AdvancED Launches Student-Focused Classroom Observation Tool

• By Joshua Bolkan
• 01/12/15

AdvancED has launched eleot, a student-focused classroom observation tool designed to help improve student engagement.

Eleot, for Effective Learning Environments Observation Tool, "enables school leaders and teachers to explore how well each classroom addresses seven areas of engagement that research indicates make a difference in learning," according to a news release. "The eleot systematically helps pinpoint how well classrooms encourage active learning, use individual monitoring and feedback, employ technology to encourage more hands-on, student-directed activities and create environments that are equitable, set high expectations, address student needs and effectively manage learning."

Available for desktop computers and iOS and Android devices, eleot includes interactive rubrics to help trained observers create an aggregate view of an entire school or provide teams or individual teachers feedback on their strengths and weaknesses.

"We talk about wanting learner-centric schools and classrooms but measure the quality of teaching through test scores and teacher-centric observations. It's no wonder so many students are disengaged," said Mark Elgart, president and CEO of AdvancED, in a prepared statement. "The new technology allows us to put a powerful tool in the hands of educators to assess how they are doing to address all aspects of the student experience."

Eleot has been piloted in 31 classrooms in the United States, Egypt, Mexico and Panama. Unlimited one-year licenses of the tool are available for $400 per school. More information is available at eleot.advanc-ed.org.