Module/Week 2
Field Notes
Recitation Media Piece
Field Notes Objective
Make field notes that include basics details, observations and inferences, and a variety of views.
Recitation (the 50-minute activity) attendance is not required, but you are welcome to use that class time as office hours to ask your GTA questions, or study with classmates in 127 Weniger.
Its time to practice making field notes of your own!
This is the first of several excursions, you can pick anywhere outdoors for this assignment. It can be a yard, a park, etc. No animals required (yet). If you cannot safely get outdoors, you can even complete the techniques used in these field notes indoors.
Review your safety check list and get your field kit ready to go. Since this can be close-to-home, you may want to reduce non-essentials in your field kit for this outing.
We recommend doing field work with someone else; be sure to let them know about any potential safety concerns.
Stick to public access areas, there is plenty to find even in the smallest of plots.
This video was part of the science writing page in the Field Notes lecture guide. It provides an overview of what you will have in your field notes media piece assignment.
Assignment (due Sunday on Canvas)
Field notes are introduced on the Science Writing webpage:
Field Notes
For this assignment, you are heading outdoors (or a “wild” corner indoors) to make field notes. These notes do not have to include animals, although if they are available, you may be able to capture extra data (photos, videos) for future media assignments.
Your field notes can be digital, for example written on a tablet, or hand written.
Be safe: take any safety materials you require, be aware of your surroundings, and take a partner with you if a benefit.
Include in your notes:
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your name (who), what you are taking notes for (what), the location and weather (where), the date and time (when)
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your observations and inferences: first impressions, ground view, eye level view, overhead view, and final impressions
Note: it can help to review observations and inferences as well as the components of field notes.
Portfolio Potential
If you have make field notes this week that you feel are quality representations of your work, determine which of the nine outcomes they could represent.
Media Directions
Submitted to Canvas.
Upload your field notes to Canvas. Your list can be submitted as a PDF, a word document, a photo of the notes, or even a video. Multiple assignment formats are supported.
