Abstract

Educational objectives can be achieved successfully through gradual assessment of students and the feedback used to instruct the students more effectively. This research was set forth to investigate how observational techniques can be used as assessment instruments to improve pupils’ performance in learning at Nkawkaw in the Kwahu West Municipality of Ghana. It further assessed the extent of Junior High School teachers’ knowledge of observational techniques and identifies some of the benefits and uses of the data gathered through the application of these techniques. The basic research designs used were descriptive statistics and participant observation among 250 respondents, who were selected through simple random sampling. The findings from the study showed that, teachers in the study area preferred employing unstructured observational technique, followed by structured observational technique to collect data on students with limited emphasis on the clinical and global impression techniques. Again, only a few preferred the application of other instruments and approaches such as the use of anecdotal records, norm-referenced tests, rating scales and checklists to gather data. Based on the findings, the work concluded that unstructured observational technique was very useful to apply and does not involve the use of sophisticated equipment to record data. The study therefore recommends the use of these observational techniques and instruments to learn more about the strengths and weaknesses of the students. It was also recommended that, government should support training and appointing of personnels to undertake observational studies on regular basis to ensure effective teaching and learning.

Authors and Affiliations