SPOT

The Student Participation Observation Tool

The Student Participation Observation Tool (SPOT) is an objective, research-based application that provides quantitative, illustrative data about how instructors spend class time, including student and teacher activity frequency, duration and diversity information, and patterns of student participation. SPOT was designed primarily as a tool for motivating reflection on teaching (as part of peer observation, in a learning community, or with a teaching consultant) but can also be used for research and evaluation. Navigate the site below and view FAQs here.

Learn about the development, functionality, and use of SPOT.

Get started using SPOT and view an annotated observation interface.

View example data visualizations, including classroom maps, timelines, and pie charts.

Contact the project team and read related articles.