Well, My Final MASSP Project Is About To Be Released – GoObserve

Everything has its time. Back when Palm Pilot technology was the rage, three of us developed an idea to use Palms to ease the demands of classroom observations. At the time, we thought our membership would be so taken by the efficiency of our observation program that principals would join the Association just to have free access. We were wrong…well, not totally. We had the right concept, just the wrong platform and wrong time. A few MASSP members who tried GoObserve back in the early 2000’s are still using it today and love it, but change is continual. While the Palm Pilot is long gone, our software ideas never went out of date.

Today, the iPad and other tablet platforms are hot and used more and more in the principalship. So, I contacted our business partners from long ago at GoKnow and said, “Now is the time. Let’s bring it up-to-date and bring it back." And, we have! Look for it – it’s right there in the app store on your iPad.

Here’s how Colin Ripmaster, MASSP President-Elect, describes this principal time management software:

"GoObserve is a multi-platform, customizable observation tool for documenting multiple walkthroughs of all teachers annually in a simple, efficient and effective manner. As a principal, I can walk into a classroom for a short walkthrough or a lengthier observation (i.e. full class period) gather data, e-mail it to the teacher on my way out the door for instant feedback, maintain a copy on my iPad, and sync it with my computer in my office and the GoCloud without any effort. At any point in time, I am able to pull up data from my walkthroughs and the walkthroughs of other administrators for a specific teacher, course, department, grade level or even building to look at trends in how students/teachers spend time and fulfill district established criteria. This information can be used to inform professional development and coaching session for individuals, small groups and/or whole staff. To have the power of this tool for $149 (and just $119 for MASSP members) it's not only cost-effective, but a great investment for any administrator involved in supervision and evaluation of staff members!"

We were before our time in 2003. Now is the time for the new GoObserve. What we’ve been working on since July is making our original idea – developed for principals by principals – compatible with current technology, and adding further options to meet the needs of today’s school building administrator. It has been developed for our members to ease their time management pressures. It’s been amended to allow the principal to comply with added observation requirements now required by Michigan state law. It has multiple uses and will continue to evolve with changing requirements. I really do believe we got it right this time.

This incredible tool couldn’t have come at a better time. Give it a try. I’m confident you’ll like it. It’s my good-bye gift to you and the Association.