On-Site Training
 On site training in the effective use of Data-Based Observations and the eCOVE Classroom Observation Software can easily be arranged. Specific goals including Walk-Throughs, Sit Downs, and In-Depth Observations for the training are individualized with the district or institution, and typically include hands-on training in the use of the tools, discussion of the selection and use of eCOVE tools to support district or state standards, and techniques for creating custom tools within eCOVE.
Topics included in the training will depend of the roles of those attending, and will be individualized for administrators, student teacher supervisors, instructional support staff, peer coaches, special education and counselors, and classroom teachers.
Sessions can run from one hour to all day, and multiple sessions can be scheduled within the training day.
Please call 888-363-2683 to discuss your training interests.
For additional information about using our software, please follow along on our eCOVE Software Blog.
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Seven Things Not to Say About eCOVE
1. “Hey everyone, I’ve got this great new tool for gathering data on you!”
2. “The data shows that you’re not doing as well as the teacher across the hall.”
3. “I want everyone to be at [ X ]% on the [name] tool.”
4. “Here’s a list of everyone in the building and their data for the last month.”
5. “Now that you’ve looked at the data, how many percentage points do you expect to raise it by
next week?”
6. “You scored [some number]. I’m very happy/unhappy with that.”
7. “You scored pretty low on [some tool]. Here’s how to fix that.”
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Ways To Introduce eCOVE To The Teachers
1. “It’s hard to see everything when you’re teaching. What would you like to know about your
classroom?”
2. “I’ve got a new tool for objective observing. Is there a student you’d like me to gather
behavioral data on?”
3. “Now that we’ve gone over the tools and what they do (and how I’ll use the results), which
tools would you like me to use when I observe your classroom? You pick two, and I’ll pick one.”
4. In staff meeting—“What do we want to know about our school?”
And The Most Powerful Words
Is this what you thought was happening in your classroom?
What would you like to change?
How can I support you?
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Webinars
eCOVE is now offering free Webinars presenting an overview of each of the 23 timers and counters in the eCOVE Classroom Observation Toolkit. These can be on an individual basis or with a large group.
The eCOVE Overview is scheduled at your convenience. To arrange a date and time, please email us with your preferred times. We’ll contact you to confirm the schedule.
What you need. All an individual needs is a computer with internet connection and a telephone. If a few people want to gather around a single computer a speakerphone is a good idea. Note that up to 28 individuals can join a single conference from their own computers.
For a group presentation where a larger number of people are gathered in one room all that’s needed is a computer with internet access, a projector and screen, and sound equipment. If a small room is being used a speakerphone will work fine. For larger rooms external speakers and a single external microphone work well (this only works on Windows computers).
We’re happy to work with tech folks to test the setup ahead of time.
How it works. Once we set a session time, participants will get an email with a link to the session. A second link is in the email so you can pre-test your computer and download connection utility if needed. If joining a conference call (the speakerphone folks), you’ll get a second email with the conference call number and password.
A few minutes before the agreed upon starting time, attendees will log on and dial the conference call number. Once we’re all connected, the eCOVE representative will begin the live demonstration. Everyone will see what’s on the eCOVE screen and can hear/talk with eCOVE. The overview session lasts about an hour.
How to arrange a session. Call 1-888-363-2683 or email us.
Include your district, preferred date/time if known, and a contact person’s email or phone. We’ll get in touch to set everything up. And there is no cost to the district.
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Playing with eCove
Here are some simple suggestions for getting familiar with eCOVE before you start your first official observation.
1. Try all the existing tools. Click all the buttons just to see what happens. Try to imagine a real life situation and collect pretend data.
2. Take a peek at the “How To” windows. There is a button on each tool, or you can pull down a menu from the top menu bar.
3. Try various tools while observing TV. Interviews with various people who are not professional actors are best, but sitcoms, the news, cartoons, nearly everything is useful and fun.
Some ideas for TV data gathering:
A. Cartoons: Use the Positive/Negative Counter to track incidence of violence or negative statements; use the Generic Timer (enter Talking in the top field and Male/Female in the center fields) to track which gender does the most talking.
B. Interviews (I especially love politicians): Verbal tics is a good spot to start (ignore the interviewer); use Questioning-Blooms Taxonomy when watching the interviewer; set up the Generic Timer similar to above to track the amount of time each person is speaking (great for panel discussions).
C. Sitcoms: Try the Non-verbal Behaviors tool. Set the Optional Reminder Interval to 60 seconds and click start. Record the non-verbal behaviors for each person on the screen then wait for the next big red reminder to flash. Make another round of tracking the behaviors, and repeat the cycle 5 to 10 times; use the Class Learning Time Tool to track the balance of entertainment versus commercials
D. Commercials: a very fascinating experiment is to use the Verbal Tics tool to track how many times the camera shot changes during a commercial. Every time there is another camera angle click the Verbal Tics button, and the result will be a ‘camera-change per minute’ rate. [What’s happening: by changing the visual image every 3 to 5 seconds your mind will stay focused on the image while the message is implanted by the speaker.]
With just a little playing you’ll find ways to gather data while watching the cat, birds at the feeder, the people across the street. Tracking the teen use of the word “like” can be interesting, but won’t get them to see the light. I do advise against tracking your spouse or partner’s number of ‘right’ and ‘wrong’ statements during a discussion.
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