Observation Practical

Part 1: Questionnaire
In pairs, choose two students to complete the Childrens Leisure Physical Activity
Survey and fill out the following table:
Student 1

Student 2

Total physical
activity duration
per week
Total sedentary
behaviour
duration per
week
Frequency of
physical activity
per week
Activity spent
most time
completing

Part 2: Direct Observation

1. In the same pair from Part 1, one person will be the observer and the other
recorder/timer
2. Choose a student to observe
3. Observe your student for 10 seconds
4. Circle the response which demonstrates their predominant level of activity
5. Repeat until you have recorded 12 times
6. Swap roles with your partner and observe a new student

Results:
Activity or context

Student
activity
Lesson
context

Lying down
Sitting
Standing
Walking
Very active
Skill practice
Game play

Time (seconds)
Student 1

Student 2

Total

***Note:

Observation time is 4 minutes (observe for 10 seconds, record for 10

seconds)

Discussion:
1. Using your results from the questionnaire, did either student meet the NPAGs?

2. Name and explain an advantage and a disadvantage associated with using a

questionnaire.

3. In what activity level did the students spend most of their time during this
lesson? Why do you think this was the case?

4. Name and explain an advantage and a disadvantage associated with using a

questionnaire.

5. Do you think direct observation is a reliable source of physical activity levels?

Explain your answer.

Questionnaire

Direct Observation Sheet

Modified SOFIT recording sheet
Date: ___________
School: ______________________
______________________
Observer: __________________
observers: ______
Start time: _________
________________

Stude
nt,
gende
r

Interv
al

Location:

Number of students: _______

End time: __________

Student activity

Lesson
Context

Number of

Lesson length (min):

Stude
nt

M/ F
(circle
)

2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12

1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1

2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2

3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3

4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4

5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5

M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M

S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S

G
G
G
G
G
G
G
G
G
G
G

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12

1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1

2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2

3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3

4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4

5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5

M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M

S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S

G
G
G
G
G
G
G
G
G
G
G
G

Totals

Stude
nt 2

M/ F
(circle
)
Totals

Student activity
1 = lying
2 = sitting
3 = standing
4 = walking
5 = very active

Lesson context
M = management
S = skill practice
G = game play