How to Evaluate Organization Skills
Organizational skills may seem like a small component of education, but they can make a big difference in achievement. Many students struggle with organizational skills, particularly early in their schooling. Children are often in a rush to complete work to get to promised playtime. Older children may simply lack the basic skills necessary to keep their supplies organized. Some teachers even struggle with this skill and keep desks that are in a constant state of disarray. When you are evaluating an individual's organization, a number of factors should be considered.
Instructions
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Check the individual's filing system. Students file papers in their binders, while teachers use standard filing cabinets to keep records in order. Check for alphabetization and papers that are loose and glance through some folders or notebook sections to see if everything is where it should be.
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Explore the individual's workspace. It is easy to lose papers or supplies if your desk is strewn with clutter. Check for unnecessary papers, trash and unorganized supplies. All of these things can lead to a decrease in efficiency as the individual struggles to muddle through the mess.
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Determine how quickly the individual can locate necessary materials. If you ask a student or teacher to produce a paper, he should be able to do it with relative speed. If he has to spend an extended time sifting through disorganized papers, used tissues and fast-food receipts, he is not organized.
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Look thorough the individual's book bag or briefcase. For some students and teachers, the bag or briefcase used to transport materials to and from school is a black hole into which papers are sucked, never to see the light of day.
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Talk to the individual about missing work or assignments. Many students contend that their missing assignments were completed but were lost before they were turned in. Some struggling teachers argue that they have the necessary paperwork but did not submit it properly. To determine how large a role organization plays in the individual's missing material, talk with him. Many people who struggle with organization know that they do and will admit their difficulties openly when asked.
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