Verbal Flow
A data collection tool for observation and diagnosis.
Purpose & Focus
Used to collect verbal interactions during a lesson. Captures the verbal interactions between teacher and student or between students in a group setting.
It is essential to get or create a seating chart prior to collecting verbal flow data. Work with the Developing Educator to collaboratively decide upon a code to use to represent the interactions during the observation.
Verbal Flow Sample
Notice the arrows on the sample chart below. The arrows pointing away from the T (teacher) indicate questions that were asked to the whole class. Now take a look at the arrows inside the seating chart. If a student has a down arrow, this indicates that the teacher asked them a specific question. If there is an arrow pointing up, it indicates that they answered the question.
Verbal Flow Data Collection in the Virtual Environment
If observing a Developing Educator's lesson in a virtual environment, Verbal Flow data can still be captured. Consider the following:
- Recording teacher to student or student to student interactions on Canvas discussion boards or course messages
- Tracking verbal interactions via the TEAMS chat box or microphone contributions
- Noting teacher to student interactions via comments or suggestions on Google Docs
- Examining student to student interactions via comments in Google Docs or Slides