Before You Start an Observation
Set up the session details and run the audio check so your recording goes smoothly.
A little setup before the lesson makes the whole observation go smoothly. When you choose New Observation, you'll fill in a few details and run a quick audio check.
Session details
- Teacher — choose from your roster, or add a new teacher on the spot. See Managing your teacher roster.
- Subject — pick from the list (English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Art, Music, Physical Education, World Languages, Computer Science, Special Education) or choose Other to enter your own.
- Grade level — the choices match the grades your school serves.
- Language — English or Spanish. This tells Elevate which language to transcribe.
[SCREENSHOT: New Observation form]
The audio check
Before recording, Elevate runs a 10-second audio check. Speak normally during it. The check passes when Elevate successfully transcribes your speech — that's the main thing it confirms. It also listens to your microphone level and warns you if it sounds too quiet or too loud.
If it passes, you're ready. If not, you'll get a specific tip — for example, to speak more clearly, reduce background noise, or move closer to the microphone.
Requirement: Your browser needs permission to use the microphone. If you're prompted, choose Allow. For device tips, see Audio and microphone issues.
When everything looks good, start the observation. Next: Recording an observation.
Need more help? Contact support.