2.3 Data Collection

Data was collected through tape-recording and note-taking. The tape-recorded information was transcribed and subsequently used to supplement the observation notes.

As far as possible, two observers observed a lesson. There were few exceptions such as the pilot observations where four observers took notes. In three of the English, two Mathematics, two science and two educational foundations lessons only one observer was present, still taking notes and using a tape recorder.

A pilot observation was carried out with a mathematics lecturer. Unlike the rest of the other lecturers who were observed teaching small groups, she was observed teaching a large group in the lecture hall.

Observers took notes on the lecturers' and the student teachers' activities including activities that were not on task. They had to record the activities at intervals of five minutes with the purpose of establishing the time individual lecturers and their students spend on each activity. They were to take notes on everything that took place in the class including those that were not on task.

Each subject was supposed to have been observed five times. However, due to some difficulties that were experienced some were observed five times while others were observed for less than five times.