Classroom observation is critical in a variety of applications including teacher induction, teacher professional development, and observation research. In-person observation is limited by barriers such as expense, time, travel and obtrusiveness thereby limiting the validity and reliability of observation data.

The thereNow system consists of two primary components: portable camera devices and a web application.

thereNow enables remote classroom observation from anywhere in the world using a personal computer and web browser.

Features and benefits of thereNow

Remote observation - When invited, observers can remotely pan, tilt and zoom (48x) the thereNow video camera, hear the entire classroom, and "snap" still images using a PC and web browser.

Video recording - thereNow has several camera options that allow users to remotely record live video or use panoramic cameras to record the classroom for later upload. Video can be played back over the Internet (by authorized users). These recordings can be imbedded with commentary, observation notes, and performance feedback.

Data Collection - The thereNow web application provides a variety of customizable data collection tools. These tools allow observers to make audio and video commentary about the observation, to complete observation rubrics and checklists, or to count occurrences of specific events as they watch live or recorded observations. All these data are securely stored on our servers so that authorized users can view the data alongside the recorded observation.

Advanced Microphone solutions - thereNow cameras incorporate a variety of high-quality microphones that capture student and teacher audio. Microphone solutions range from recharagble wireless options to stationary, omnidirectional options.

Security - Unauthorized access of live and recorded video is prevented with multiple levels of security and encryption. All data transferred by thereNow is encrypted using the 128-key Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), the same encryption used by the U.S. government to protect our government's sensitive data.

AES was the encryption standard adopted by the U.S. government in 2002. In 2003, AES was determined by the National Security Agency (NSA) to be secure enough to be used for classified government information. This is also the standard used across the internet and other networks by banking institutions and retailers to protect financial transactions and sales data. In addition, each time a user attempts to access a thereNow video, they must first authenticate their identity with a username and password. After doing this, they are presented with a randomly generated username and password, unique to that observation, that they must also enter. Each new observation session requires users to enter a unique, randomly generated username and password.

Portability - thereNow cameras are easily portable; they are lightweight, small, and can easily be carried between classrooms.

Unobtrusiveness - thereNow is less obtrusive than an in-person observation. The camera quickly becomes one additional piece of classroom technology that is easily forgotten. The result is observational data that is more likely to be valid and reliable.

Feedback & Communication - The thereNow web application provides a variety of different means by which to provide feedback and to communicate. Feedback can be provided via audio annotation, video annotation, text notes, customizable observation rubrics and checklists, and behavioral counters and timers. Observers can also provide real-time feedback via a small ear piece that is worn by the teacher. All of these tools are easily customizable for your specific needs. In addition, these data are stored on secure servers for secure, easy access.

Inexpensive - thereNow cameras can be shared across multiple classrooms, allowing you to spread the upfront costs across the entire school. The per classroom cost can be as little as $150. In addition to enabling observation and feedback that is otherwise virtually impossible, thereNow technology can pay for itself through savings of transportation and staff expenses.

Environmentally Sustainable Classroom Observation - Observation is a critical component of effective induction, professional development, and educational research. However, driving or flying around to observe classrooms in person is neither economically nor environmentally sustainable. thereNow enables remote observation that allows observation without the large carbon footprint associated with travel.

Applications of thereNow: thereNow has been designed to be flexible and is effective in a variety of applications including: student observation, lesson capture, teacher pre-service training, teacher induction, teacher inservice, enabling communities of practice, research, evaluation, and more.