LoTi Observer Guide - iPhone and iPod Touch
From WiKi
© 2005 Learning Quest, Inc. All Rights Reserved
LoTi Observer Introduction
- The LoTi Observer is an online tool with a component for the handheld computer that automatically calculates a teacher's LoTi Level based on an administrator's recorded walkthrough observations. The LoTi Observer provides a powerful system for mobile data collection and analysis of LoTi behaviors in the classroom. Three observation walkthrough templates are currently available in the LoTi Observer including the LoTi Form, the H.E.A.T. Form, and the H.E.A.R.T. Form. Chapter One explains how to set up the LoTi Observer including accessing the online application and installing the LoTi Observer iPhone web application.
Using the LoTi Observer to Conduct Observation Walkthroughs
- The LoTi Observer online application was designed to work in synchronization with the LoTi Observer handheld application as a quick and easy means of obtaining and reporting information on classroom instructional practices. Using the LoTi Observer, administrators can perform observation walkthroughs in a classroom on an iPhone or iPod Touch then upload the walkthrough information to the LoTi Observer online and obtain a report on the observed Level of Technology Implementation (LoTi) and Current Instructional Practices (CIP). The LoTi Observer online application and the LoTi Observer iPhone web application contain the same observation walkthrough templates and can be used independent of one another if desired, but were designed to be used in unison.
Accessing the LoTi Lounge Web Site
The LoTi Observer is a component application at the LoTi Lounge web site. Access to the LoTi Lounge web site is free for all educators in the United States and Puerto Rico. You must be a registered LoTi Lounge user to login to the LoTi Lounge, but registration is free of charge and only takes about five minutes.
LoTi Lounge Instructions for New Users
NEW users are defined as educators who have never previously registered in the LoTi Lounge.
- Access the LoTi Lounge at: http://www.lotilounge.com
- Click on the link that says Sign Me Up! (in the 'I'm a New User' section of the LoTi Lounge login block) to complete a ONE TIME registration sequence that will both identify you as part of your group and as an individual user.
- Follow the registration instructions on the screen. You will first be prompted to enter your Group ID and Password. Your Group ID and Password is the name of your state spelled out in lower-case letters.
For example: GroupID: arizona Password: arizona
- Next, you will be prompted to enter your User Information including a User ID and Password of your choosing (NOT the state Group ID and Password as explained above). This User ID and password should be something you will remember as it is what you will use to login to LoTi Lounge in the future.
- Next, you will be prompted to enter your Email address. Entering a valid email address is necessary to have full access to the LoTi Lounge.
- Finally, you will be prompted to select your organization from a structural list that has already been entered into the computer based on the Group ID you were given. Choose your school district, then your school (when the list refreshes) and click 'Continue' to complete the registration process.
- Note: It is strongly recommended that you WRITE DOWN your selected User ID and User Password information as it is necessary to re-access the LoTi Lounge system.
LoTi Lounge Instructions for Returning Users
RETURNING users are defined as educators who have already registered in the LoTi Lounge, and who already have a LoTi Lounge User ID and User Password.
- Access the LoTi Lounge at: http://www.lotilounge.com
- Enter your previously registered User ID and Password in the fields provided (in the 'I'm already registered' section of the LoTi Lounge login block), then click 'Submit' to enter the LoTi Lounge. If you are a registered user but do not remember your LOGIN information, click on the Need help signing in? link. Entering your email address will prompt the LoTi Lounge system to email you a copy of your previously registered User ID and Password.
Accessing the LoTi Observer Online
If your group has purchased a license to the LoTi Observer, a LoTi Observer link will appear on the For Administrators Only section of the Main Menu at the LoTi Lounge web site. If you login to the LoTi Lounge and do not have the link for LoTi Observer, please contact your group representative (e.g., district administrator, school administrator) about obtaining a license. Access to the LoTi Observer application can be obtained for a nominal fee. To access the LoTi Observer online:
- Click on the LoTi Observer link in the For Administrators Only section of the LoTi Lounge Main Menu.
Accessing the LoTi Observer on an iPhone or iPod Touch
To use the LoTi Observer on an iPhone or iPod Touch, the device must be configured to connect to the Internet. An iPhone or iPod Touch uses a WiFi internet connection (the iPhone can also use the always-on EDGE or 3G cell data connection) to obtain and install the LoTi Observer web application and to upload your observations to the LoTi Observer server. An internet connection is required in order to download a list of specific teachers to be observed and to upload the observation data to the LoTi Observer server.
Once you have logged in and downloaded your teacher list you can use LoTi Observer when disconnected from the internet (offline mode) to create observations and conduct walkthroughs.
Chapter Two provides detailed instructions for installing, configuring and using LoTi Observer on an iPhone or iPod Touch
If you are experiencing difficulties getting the LoTi Observer to run on your device, please contact the NBEA technical support help desk at: http://www.loticonnection.com/techsupport.html
LoTi Observer Special Features
The LoTi Observer was designed for administrators to perform quick and easy observation walkthroughs in the classroom. Administrators enjoy the simplicity of using LoTi Observer for their classroom observations because it:
- Automatically calculates participant's LoTi Levels based on recorded walkthrough observations
- Automatically records the date/time of walkthroughs
- Uploads walkthrough reports after an observation that can be modified, printed, saved as a PDF, or emailed
- Provides a a powerful system for mobile data collection and analysis of LoTi behaviors
- Is ideal for use by building administrators and LoTi Mentors
- Is customized for each state to include statewide initiatives and instructional priority areas
- Is accessible directly through the LoTi Lounge
- Has three valuable observation walkthrough forms to choose from
LoTi Observer PDA Setup Menu Overview
The LoTi Observer PDA Setup Menu offers specific details on configuring a PDA or Smartphone to run the LoTi Observer.
The links on the LoTi Observer PDA Setup Menu provide links to download any software your handheld device may need to communicate with your computer and the LoTi Observer online application.
Although configuring your PDA or Smarthphone to run the LoTi Observer for the first time is somewhat complex, it is a one- time operation that will allow you to utilize the LoTi Observer (and other applications available on your PDA or Smarthphone) to it's fullest capacity. Chapter Two offers detailed information on the LoTi Observer PDA Setup Menu.
The iPhone and iPod touch is a revolutionary device that is far simpler to setup and maintain than previous generation PDA's or Smartphones. The directions and setup instructions here are specific to older generation PDA's and smartphones. No special downloads or instructions are required to use an iPhone or iPod touch with LoTi Observer.
LoTi Observer Perform Walkthrough Menu Overview
The Perform Walkthrough Menu offers the option of performing an observation walkthrough online (using your computer and an internet connection) by selecting a teacher from the list or downloading a customized teacher list to your iPhone or iPod touch to perform an observation at a classroom site where a computer is not available. Both options record data that becomes available on both the Review Walkthrough Menu and the Walkthrough Reports Menu. There are currently three observation walkthrough forms available to choose from including the LoTi Form, the H.E.A.T. Form, and the H.E.A.R.T. Form. The administrator obtaining your LoTi Observer license will ultimately decide which of these observation walkthrough forms will be available to you. Chapter Three offers detailed information on the Perform Walkthrough Menu.
LoTi Observer Review Walkthrough Menu Overview
The Review Walkthrough Menu offers access to existing observation walkthrough records. This becomes convenient if you need to update a walkthrough that was created at an earlier time. Chapter Four offers detailed information on the Review Walkthrough Menu.
LoTi Observer Walkthrough Reports Menu Overview
The Walkthrough Reports Menu allows you to quickly and easily view or print an observation walkthrough report. Each observation walkthrough report catalogues the "look-fors" that were selected during the walkthrough, and provides a graphical representation of the observed user's Level of Technology Implementation (LoTi) and Current Instructional Practices (CIP). Chapter Five offers detailed information on the Walkthrough Reports Menu.
Observation Walkthrough Forms
There are currently three observation walkthrough forms available to choose from including the LoTi (Levels of Technology Implementation) Form, the H.E.A.T. (Higher-order Thinking, Engaged Learning, Authenticity, and Technology Use) Form, and the H.E.A.R.T. (Higher-order Thinking, Engaged Learning, Authenticity, Rubric, and Technology Use) Form.
LoTi Form
Use the LoTi Form for performing classroom walkthroughs according to the Levels of Technology Implementation (LoTi) Framework. A sample LoTi Form is below. insert link to actual PDF here
H.E.A.T. Form
Use the H.E.A.T. Form for performing classroom walkthroughs according to the H.E.A.T. (Higher-order thinking, Engaged learning, Authenticity, and Technology use) observation model. A sample H.E.A.T. Form is below.insert link to actual PDF here
H.E.A.R.T. Form
Use the H.E.A.R.T. Form for performing classroom walkthroughs according to the H.E.A.R.T. (Higher-order thinking, Engaged learning, Authenticity, Rubric, and Technology use) observation model. A sample H.E.A.R.T. Form is below. insert link to actual PDF here
LoTi Observer PDA Setup Menu
The LoTi Observer PDA Setup Menu offers specific details on configuring both your PDA and your computer to run the LoTi Observer. The links on the Download LoTi Observer Menu provide links to download any software your PDA may need to communicate with your computer and the LoTi Observer online application. Although configuring your PDA to run the LoTi Observer for the first time is somewhat complex, it is a one-time operation that will allow you to utilize the LoTi Observer (and other applications available on your PDA) to it's fullest capacity. Chapter Two explains how to configure your PDA and computer to use the LoTi Observer.
Using an iPhone or iPod Touch with a Mac or PC
Before You Start
Before you start, make sure you have all of the proper equipment to run the LoTi Observer. The minimum system requirements include:
- an iPhone or iPod touch
- Access to a WiFi internet connection
To setup your iPhone or iPod touch you will also need:
- A computer running Windows XP/Vista or Mac OS X
- An Internet connection on the computer
- iTunes
Installing iTunes
The iTunes software allows your computer and your iPhone or iPod touch to synchronize data. If you do not currently have a copy of iTunes installed on your computer, it can be downloaded from the Apple web site: http://www.apple.com/itunes/download/.
Installing the LoTi Observer web application onto your iPhone or iPod touch
In order to install the LoTi Observer web application onto your iPhone or iPod touch you must have a working internet connection on your iPhone or iPod touch. The iPhone or iPod touch documentation gives detailed instructions on how to establish an internet connection with your iPhone or iPod touch.
To test if you have a working internet connection open Safari on your iPhone or iPod touch - if you have an internet connection a web page will be displayed. If you do not have an internet connection you will get a message to that effect.
- Open Safari on your iPhone or iPod touch and go to this URL: http://iphone.lqhome.com
- Once you see the LoTi Observer splash screen, tap the Add Bookmark icon at the bottom of the screen.
- Choose Add to Home Screen
From now on you can access LoTi Observer on your iPhone or iPod touch by tapping this Home screen icon 
Login to the LoTi Observer Server
You must be a registered LoTi Lounge user to access the LoTi Observer. To begin using the LoTi Observer on your iPhone or iPod touch, you must Login with your LoTi User ID and Password to establish your identity (with the LoTi Observer Server) and download your teacher list.
- When you enter the LoTi Observer on the iPhone or iPod touch for the first time, you will be presented with the Splash screen. Tap the splash screen to dismiss it and continue to the Login screen. Enter your LoTi Lounge User ID and Password in the fields provided, then click "Login" to establish your identity with the server and download your teacher list.
- If the Teacher List appears, you are ready to begin a walkthrough. If you are directed back to the Login page, there was a problem with your LoTi Lounge connection such as:
- You entered an invalid User ID and/or Password. Try re-entering your User ID and Password then click "Login" again.
- Your device is not connected to the Internet. Check your connection settings then click "Login" again.
Perform Walkthrough Menu
The LoTi Observer Perform Walkthrough Menu allows administrators to perform observation walkthroughs on either a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) or online according to the H.E.A.T., H.E.A.R.T., or LoTi observation model. Chapter Three explains how to perform a walkthrough using the LoTi Observer.
Begin observation Walkthrough Online
The LoTi Observer offers two options for recording observation walkthroughs. The first is to perform an observation and record it directly online in the LoTi Observer. The second is to perform an observation and record it on a iPhone or iPod touch to upload to the server at a later time. The following section describes how to perform an observation walkthrough in the LoTi Observer online application. To begin an observation walkthrough in the LoTi Oberver online, click on the "Begin Observation Walkthrough Online" link from the Perform Walkthrough section of the main menu.
Select an Observation to Use
To record a new observation walkthrough, select which observation form you wish to use from the pull-down list in the "Select an Observation to Use" section. After making a selection, click on the "Submit" button. 
Select a Teacher to Observe
Observation Look-fors
Each observation walkthrough record contains a selection of observation "look-fors"; specific classroom practices to note during the observation. The observation look-fors vary according to which observation walkthrough form is being used, but all were developed to determine the observed teacher's Level of Technology Implementation (LoTi) and Current Instructional Practices (CIP).. To mark a look-for, simply click on the check box next to the desired look-for. Image:Example.jpg
End Observation
Once you have recorded all of the look-fors appropriate to the performed walkthrough, click on the "End Observation" arrow to leave the observation record and return to the LoT Observer. This will close out the walkthrough record and make it available on the "Review and Existing Observation Walkthrough" page. Image:Example.jpg
Begin Observation Walkthrough on a PDA
The LoTi Observer offers two options for recording observation walkthroughs. The first is to perform an observation and record it directly online in the LoTi Observer. The second is to perform an observation and record it on a iPhone or iPod touch to upload to the server at a later time. The following section describes how to perform an observation walkthrough on the LoTi Observer iPhone or iPod touch web application and upload the data to the LoTi Observer online application. To begin an observation walkthrough using the LoTi Observer iPhone or iPod touch web application, click on the "Begin Observation Walkthrough on a PDA" link from the Perform Walkthrough section of the main menu.
ONLINE: Select Teachers to Download
Follow the on-screen steps to setup the download of a teacher list to your iPhone or iPod touch.
- Select each teacher you wish to download to the handheld for observation. Click the Select Users link to access a list of teachers. The list of teachers is comprised of all individuals associated with your school or district (depending on your account settings) in the LoTi Lounge system. To select individual teachers from the list, click on the check box next to the User ID of the desired teacher(s). When you have selected all of the teachers you wish to observe, scroll down to the bottom of the list and click on the "Continue" button.
- You'll be returned to the "Begin Observation Walkthrough on a PDA" page. Click on the "Save Teacher List" button to save your selections for the handheld device.
- On your iPhone or iPod touch, click "Login" on the Login screen to download the selected Teacher List to the device.
Note: Unless the list of teachers you need to observe changes, you should only have to do this step once. Once you have successfully download your teacher list you do not have to do it again unless you need to make changes. Your teacher list will remain on your iPhone or iPod touch until you specifically Clear it from the Login screen or login as a different LoTi Lounge user.
Using your iPhone or iPod touch to Begin an Observation
The Teacher list page is where you begin an Observation. Tap a teacher on the teacher list to create an observation for that teacher and switch to the main Observation page. You can return to the Teacher List page at any time by tapping the Teachers button at the top of the page.
Using the Find Teacher search field
Tap the Find icon on the Teachers list page to reveal the Find teacher search field. Enter text in the search field to filter your teacher list to ones who contain the text entered. Erase the text in the search field to view all the teachers in the list again.
Tap the Find icon a second time to hide the search field once again.
Main Observation Page
Tap a teacher on the teacher list to create an observation for that teacher and switch to the main Observation page. You can return to the Teacher List page at any time by tapping the Teachers button at the top of the page.
Teacher Information
The Teacher Information page on the handheld device automatically records the observed teacher's name, the observation date, and the observation time. It also has a "Comments" field whereby the observer can make overall comments about the walkthrough.
Tap the teachers name on the main Observation page to switch to the Teacher Information page.
Observation Look-fors
Each observation walkthrough record contains a selection of LoTi observation "look-fors"; specific classroom practices to note during the observation. The observation look-fors available are specific to the Observation Form and were developed to determine the observed teacher's Level of Technology Implementation (LoTi) and Current Instructional Practices (CIP). To view a particular section of Look-fors (i.e. Setting...) tap the section title on the main Observation page. To move through each section in sequence, use the Back or Next button at the bottom of each Look-for section page. To mark a look-for, simply tap the desired look-for.
Ending an Observation
Once you have recorded all of the look-fors appropriate to the performed walkthrough, tap
"Done" on the last Look-for section page or from the main Observation page to leave the observation record and return to the Teacher List. This will close out the walkthrough record and mark it as complete.
Teachers with incomplete observations appear in blue text on the teacher list, teachers with completed observations appear in green on the teacher list.
Editing an Incomplete Observation
Teachers with incomplete observations appear in blue text on the teachers list, teachers with completed observations appear in green on the teacher list.
To edit an incomplete observation tap the teachers name on the Teachers list. The display will switch to the main Observation page. From there select which Look-for section you wish to edit. When you have finished marking all the look-fors you need, click the Done button on the last look-for section or the main Observations page to mark that Observations as complete.
Editing a completed Observation
Teachers with incomplete observations appear in blue text on the teachers list, teachers with completed observations appear in green on the teacher list.
To edit a completed observation tap the teachers name on the Teachers list. The display will switch to the main Observation page. On the main Observation page, click the Edit button to change the observation from completed to incomplete. From there select which Look-for section you wish to edit. When you have finished marking all the look-fors you need, click the Done button on the last look-for section or the main Observations page to mark that Observations as complete.
Note: You can only edit observations before they are uploaded. Once an observation has been uploaded you can only edit it with the online LoTi Observer system.
Deleting an Observation
To delete an incomplete observation, select the Teacher from the teacher list then scroll to the bottom of the main Observation screen to reveal the red Clear button. Tap the Clear button to delete that observation and its associated data.
Changing the Observation Date
Adding Personal Info comments
Uploading Observation Data to the LoTi Observer Server
Note: You iPhone or iPod touch must have a valid WiFi internet connection in order to upload completed observations to the server
Note: The *Upload* button is only visible if you have completed observations ready for upload on your device. Teachers with incomplete observations are displayed in blue on the Teacher List page
Login page
The clear button at the bottom of the page clears all login, teacher and observation data from your device. Use this button if you want to transfer your device to another administrator or login as a different LoTi Lounge user.
Review Walkthrough Menu
The LoTi Observer Review Walkthrough Menu allows administrators to review all walkthroughs that have been completed by survey period. Chapter Four explains how to review existing walkthroughs using the LoTi Observer.
Review an Existing Observation Walkthrough
Once an observation walkthrough has been performed, it appears on the Review Walkthrough list. The "Review an Existing Observation Walkthrough" page provides a quick and easy way to view all walkthroughs that you have performed.
View/Modify an Existing Observation Walkthrough
From the "Review an Existing Observation Walkthrough" page, you can review or modify an existing observation walkthrough by clicking on the "Modify" button. Clicking on the "Modify" button will re-open an observation walkthrough record for you to view or edit as needed.
Delete an Existing Observation Walkthrough
To delete an existing observation walkthrough, click on the "Delete" button on the "Review an Existing Observation Walkthrough" page.
Filter Existing Observation Walkthroughs by Survey Period
Oftentimes there are multiple years of observations available in the LoTi Observer. To narrow the list of available observations, the LoTi Observer can filter the list of existing observations by survey period. To filter the list of existing observation walkthroughs by survey period, select the desired survey period from the "Year Filter" pull-down list.
Walkthrough Reports Menu
The LoTi Observer Walkthrough Reports Menu allows administrators view and print observation walkthrough reports outlining teachers' Level of Technology Implementation (LoTi) and Current Instructional Practices (CIP). Chapter Five explains how to view and print existing observation walkthrough reports using the LoTi Observer.
View/Print an Observation Walkthrough Report
Once an observation walkthrough has been performed, it appears on the Walkthrough Reports list. The "View/Print an Observation Walkthrough Report" page lists all available observation walkthrough reports. View an Observation Walkthrough Report
From the "View/Print an Observation Walkthrough Report" page, you can view an observation walkthrough report by clicking on the username/email address link of the desired teacher. The observation walkthrough report will appear.
Print an Observation Walkthrough Report
To print an observation walkthrough report, view the report then click on the "Save to PDF" button in the upper left corner of the page.
Filter an Observation Walkthrough Report by Survey Period
Oftentimes there are multiple years of walkthrough reports available in the LoTi Observer. To narrow the list of available observation walkthrough reports, the LoTi Observer can filter the list of observation walkthrough reports by survey period. To filter the list of observation walkthrough reports by survey period, select the desired survey period from the "Year Filter" pull-down list.
