A research session covered designing research projects and tools for classroom observation. Confirmation bias – See what we’re looking for. Seen vs unseen – Even with classroom observation, lots happens when we aren’t there observing. Inattentional blindness – We are so focused on what we’re looking for that we don’t see other factors. And thin slicing – Research shows that assessment can be done in a thin slice or a shorter experience. Students were asked to assess a college teacher’s effectiveness. After just observing a 2-minute clip, these students’ assessment matched the evaluations given by the professor’s students at the end of the semester. Two minutes. So use those first two minutes of your first class well! Julie from her iPhone