Situational Awareness

Awareness of multiple variables in a dynamic environment. Situational awareness is a key distinguisher of someone who is moving from developing towards applying.

In teaching this is sometimes referred to as “withitness” and refers to: A teachers capacity to perceive the needs of students with accuracy and care. Teachers who use withitness notice the behavior of all students and respond quickly to unexpected events. They pay close attention to students’ nonverbal and verbal responses. When events deviate from expectations, a teacher who uses withitness responds by changing pace in a lesson, moving about the room, and interacting with students in an effort to redirect and refocus attention and learning.

Source: USC Rossier School of Education