The Observation Page Layout
When you open an observation, the page is divided into two main areas:
Left panel (8 columns) -- Contains the section tabs at the top and the questionnaire content below. This is where you fill out the form.
Right panel (4 columns) -- The sidebar with three sections: Details (categories), Tags, and a text editor for notes.
The form name is displayed in the header bar at the top of the page. If the observation is open, you will see Delete and Done buttons in the top-right corner. If the observation is closed, you will see a Close button that returns you to the Observations page.
Navigating Between Sections
Observation forms are organized into sections. Each section appears as a tab along the top of the left panel. The active section tab is highlighted in blue with a blue underline, while inactive sections appear in gray.
Click any section tab to switch to that section. The questionnaire area below updates to show the elements (questions) belonging to that section. When you first open an observation, the first section is selected automatically.
If a section has not been given a name, it will display as "Untitled Section."
Filling Out the Questionnaire
The questionnaire area shows all elements for the currently selected section. Each element has a label and an input area. Aprenta supports 18 element types that cover a wide range of data collection needs during classroom observations:
Text Elements
Element | How to Use | Example Use Case |
Text Input | Type a short text response in the field | Recording the lesson topic or learning objective |
Text Area | Type a longer response in the multi-line field | Writing narrative feedback about classroom management |
Static Text | Read-only content displayed for reference -- no input needed | Displaying rubric criteria or instructions for the observer |
Choice Elements
Element | How to Use | Example Use Case |
Multiple Choice | Select one option from the available radio buttons | Rating a teaching standard as Proficient, Developing, or Unsatisfactory |
Multiple Selection | Check one or more options from the available checkboxes | Selecting all instructional strategies observed during the lesson |
Scale Elements
Element | How to Use | Example Use Case |
Rating Scale | Select a numeric rating value from the scale | Rating student engagement on a 1-5 scale |
Likert Scale | Choose your level of agreement from the scale options | Indicating agreement with statements like "Students were actively engaged" |
Matrix Scale | Rate multiple items across the same set of criteria in a grid | Evaluating several teaching domains using the same performance levels |
Slider | Drag the slider handle to select a value within the defined range | Estimating the percentage of students on task |
Counting and Numeric Elements
Element | How to Use | Example Use Case |
Counter | Use the increment (+) and decrement (-) buttons to adjust the count | Tallying the number of higher-order questions asked during instruction |
Number Input | Type a numeric value into the field | Recording the number of students present in the classroom |
Ordering Elements
Element | How to Use | Example Use Case |
Ranking | Drag items to arrange them in your preferred order | Prioritizing areas for teacher growth based on observation evidence |
Date and Time Elements
Element | How to Use | Example Use Case |
Date Input | Select a date from the date picker | Recording a follow-up meeting date |
Timer | Start and stop the timer to record durations | Measuring how long a transition between activities takes |
Media Elements
Element | How to Use | Example Use Case |
File Upload | Click to upload a document from your device | Attaching a lesson plan or student work sample |
Image Upload | Click to upload an image from your device | Capturing a photo of a classroom anchor chart or bulletin board |
Video Upload | Click to upload a video file | Recording a short clip of a teaching moment for post-observation review |
Toggle Element
Element | How to Use | Example Use Case |
Toggle | Switch between two states (e.g., True/False or custom labels) | Indicating whether a posted learning objective was visible |
Using the Sidebar
The sidebar on the right side of the observation page contains three cards that let you add context and metadata to the observation.
Details (Categories)
The Details card displays category dropdowns that were attached to the form. Categories let you classify the observation by attributes like Subject Area, Grade Level, or Class Period.
For each category shown:
Click the dropdown (labeled "Choose an option or add a new item...")
Select an existing item from the list
Or type a new item name and select it to create and apply it in one step
To add a category that is not already shown:
Click the + icon next to the "Details" heading
A search dropdown appears showing unused categories
Select an existing category or type a new name to create one
The category appears in the Details card with its own dropdown for selecting an item
To remove a category from the observation, hover over the category name and click the x icon that appears. You will be asked to confirm before it is removed.
Categories are only editable when the observation is Open. When closed, the dropdowns are disabled.
Tags
The Tags card lets you add free-form labels to the observation for easy filtering later.
Type a tag name in the input field (placeholder: "Type name and hit enter to add new tag")
Press Enter to add the tag
Tags appear as badges below the input field
Click the x on any badge to remove it
Tags are useful for tracking observation context that does not fit into structured categories -- for example, "PD follow-up," "informal visit," or "co-teaching."
Text Editor
Below the Tags section, a rich text editor (placeholder: "Type here...") provides space for free-form notes about the observation. Use this for qualitative feedback, context about the classroom environment, or anything that does not fit into the form's structured elements.
Read-Only Mode
When an observation has a Closed status, the entire observation page switches to read-only mode:
All questionnaire elements are disabled and cannot be edited
Category dropdowns in the sidebar are disabled
The category + and x controls are hidden
The header shows a Close button instead of Delete and Done
This prevents accidental changes to completed observations. To make edits, you must first reopen the observation by changing its status to Open from the Observations list page.
Completing the Observation
When you have finished filling out all sections of the form:
Review your responses by clicking through the section tabs
Verify the sidebar details -- categories, tags, and notes
Click Done in the top-right corner of the header
The observation status changes to Closed and the page switches to read-only mode. You are navigated back to the Observations page.
If you need to make changes later, a principal or observation manager can reopen the observation from the Observations list by clicking the status dropdown and selecting Mark as Open.
Deleting an Observation
If you need to discard an observation while it is still open:
Click Delete in the top-right corner of the header
A confirmation dialog appears: "Are you sure you want to delete this observation?"
Confirm to permanently delete the observation
This action cannot be undone. Once deleted, the observation and all its responses are removed.