Create an Observation Template

Observation templates are selected by targeted Observers for scheduling or starting an observation.

Define the Template

From the Observation tab, select Observation Designer.
From the Groups tab, click the name of the group to which the template will be added. Use the search box to find the desired group, if needed.
To the right of the screen, click Create template.
In the pop-up window, enter the template name and description.
Select the framework for the template. Select carefully; this cannot be changed once you save.
Select the Enable Self-Assessment checkbox to turn on the self-assessment functionality for this template.
When all information is complete, click Save.
The pop-up window will close and the Observation Designer Create Mode wizard will appear.

General Settings

On the General Settings tab, update the template name, description or group if necessary. Then click Next.

Details

On the Details tab, add fields for use by the Observer.

Click Add Field.
In the pop-up window, complete all information about the field. See Observation Template Form Fields for a description of each field type available to you.
Continue to add, edit, and reorder fields as necessary.
When finished adding fields, click Next.

Customize

On the Customize tab, the selected framework is displayed. Use the checkboxes to show or hide certain parts of the framework for this observation template. When framework customizations are complete, click Next.

Fields

On the Fields tab, you can determine whether or not ratings and/or evidence are required and designate competencies as focus areas.

For each rated competency/element, determine the following:
- Whether or not it is a focus area; if so, select the checkbox.
- How rating scales will be displayed and if required.
- Whether or not evidence is required; if so, make the Evidence field required.
- Whether or not you want additional fields (considered as additional evidence); if so click Add Field. See Observation Template Form Fields for a description of each field type available to you.
Click Global Settings to determine scale settings for the entire template. Global settings will override any individual field settings. Click Apply Settings when done.
When settings for all competencies are complete, click Next.

Scoring

On the Scoring tab, select the method of scoring for the observation (will apply to this observation only). Based on the method you choose, additional scoring fields will appear for you to set.

Scoring method choices are as follows. A score is assigned when the observation is finalized by the Observer.

Average - adds up all of the contributing scores, and then divides by the number of contributing scores.
Example: (4 + 4 + 3 + 2 + 3 + 2 + 4) / 7 = 3.14
Average (weighted) - if the weight and the rating are at the same tier, adds up all contributing scores multiplied by their associated weight, and then divides by the sum of the weights.
Example: (4 x .3) + (4 x .2) + (2 x .1) + (3 x .1) + (2 x .1) + (4 x .2) / (.3 + .2 + .1 + .1 + .1 + .2) = 3.5
- Weights do not have to add up to 100.
- If the weight is at a tier hierarchically greater, then the system must calculate the average of all the ratings within the specified weighted-tier (up to 16 decimal places) and then apply the weighted average calculation.
Summative - adds up all of the contributing scores.
Example: 4 + 4 + 3 + 2 + 3 + 2 +4 = 22
Summative (weighted) - adds the weight to the contributing score, and then adds up the weighted scores.
Example: ([w]+S..) = ({[4]+3}+{[2]+5}) where w is the additional weight added to the score, and s is the score generated from the observation.
Custom - a custom scoring algorithm may have been created for your organization; in this case, you will be unable to select any other scoring options or settings.

When scoring settings are complete, click Next.

Overall Score

On the Overall Score tab, determine how the multiple ratings will be calculated into one observation score.

Select the rating scale to use. The scale associated with the template's framework is selected by default.
Select one or more rating values to display on the observation. To hide the calculated score, select Hide Overall score.
Based on the rating values selected, configure the rating scores.
When overall score settings are complete, click Next.

Discussion

On the Discussion tab, click the toggle button On to enable the Discussion tab in the observation for use by the Observer and Observee. When done, click Next.

Targeting

On the Targeting tab, select Evaluatees whose evaluation plan will include an observation activity using this template. For the Evaluatees selected:

Observations can be started, scheduled, conducted, and managed by Evaluators via the Observation tab. (The Evaluator group also must be configured with permissions to the template; this is done by your PowerSchool representative.)
Evaluatees can view the observation instance and its insights via the Observation tab as well as via their evaluation plan.

A targeting summary will display. Click Target to add users.
Use the desired options to define the demographics for the targeted list. The number of selected recipients will appear on the right. Click Show Recipient List to view the names. When satisfied with the target settings, click Finish.
When done, click Next.

Review

On the Review tab, review the template that has been defined. Click Prev to return to a screen to make changes. When the template appears correct, click Finish.

You will be returned to the Groups tab.

Activate the Template

In order for a newly-created template to appear as a choice for Observers, first it must be activated.

From the Groups tab, click the name of the group containing the template to be activated. Use the search box to find the desired group, if needed.
The list of templates in the group will display. Select the checkbox for the desired template, then click Activate.
In the confirmation pop-up, click Activate again.