Lesson observations

With Lesson Observations you record formal observations of lessons. An observation has up to three parts: the observer's observation form (always), student feedback (optional, anonymous via QR code or link) and the teacher self-evaluation (optional). The parts run in order: observer, students, teacher. Each participant automatically gets an email with their own link when it is their turn.

Where to find it

Sidebar → Education → Lesson Observations, with the sub-items All observations, Observation Templates and New Observation.

Who can do this

• Administrators with the permission Manage students (manage_students).
• The Lesson Observations module must be part of your organization's package (the extended education packages). You do not switch a module on yourself: change the package via Settings → Settings, tab General, or ask Aqlemy.
• Teachers cannot open these pages. A teacher or observer takes part through the link in their email; students via the QR code or link, without logging in.

Set up

1. Under Observation Templates, create at least one active template of type Observer. Without it you cannot start an observation.
2. If you want student feedback or a self-evaluation, also create a template of type Student and/or Teacher. See the article Observation templates.

Step by step: start an observation

1. Click New Observation.
2. Basic Information: Observation Title (required), optionally description, subject and location.
3. Teacher Information: pick a teacher or administrator under Select from list..., or enter Teacher Name and Teacher Email manually.
4. Observer Information: the observer's name and email.
5. Class Information (optional): pick a class.
6. Date and Time: observation date, start time and end time.
7. Parts of this observation: choose the Observer Template. Optionally tick Collect student feedback and/or Teacher self-evaluation and choose the matching template.
8. Optional, under Advanced Settings: Link Validity (Hours) (default 168 hours = 7 days) and Allow Multiple Student Responses.
9. Click Create and Send. The observer receives their link by email.

Step by step: follow up and create the report

1. On the overview page, filter with the tabs All, Observer Pending, Student Pending, Teacher Pending and Completed. Click the eye icon to open an observation.
2. Under Observation progress you see per part whether it is completed. For student feedback, the QR code and Copy link are here; show them in class.
3. The tabs show the responses of the observer, students (aggregated, with scores) and teacher. Under Notes you keep your own notes.
4. When all chosen parts are completed, click Generate PDF and then Download PDF.
5. Send report to teacher emails the full report as a PDF attachment to the teacher. Afterwards you can Send again.

Search and filter

Search by title, teacher name or observer email. The date filter shows the observations of a single date; filtering on a period is not possible.

I can't see it / it doesn't work

• The menu item is missing. You lack the Manage students permission, or the Lesson Observations module is not in the package.
• "You must create templates first". There is no active observer template. Create one under Observation Templates or set an existing template to active.
• Generate PDF does not work. Not all chosen parts are completed.
• A participant did not get an email. Check the email address in the observation and the spam folder. If the link has expired, use a longer Link Validity for a new observation.
• A teacher is not in the list. Enter the name and email manually.

Frequently asked questions

Do all three parts have to be filled in? No. Only the observation form is required. Without student feedback and self-evaluation, the observation is complete as soon as the observer submits their form.

Are student responses anonymous? Yes. Students fill in the questionnaire anonymously via the QR code or link.

Can a teacher start an observation? No. Only administrators with Manage students start observations; the teacher only fills in their self-evaluation via the link.

Can I delete an observation? Yes, with the bin icon in the list, after confirmation.