This course focusses on your proficiency of field skills and contextual knowledge within earth and environmental sciences. Each section focuses on a specific skill set and represents a way of acknowledging achievements or skill acquisition at a granular level.
Key field skills included in this course are navigation, field observations and note-taking, and field sketching.
Field Observations and Note-taking
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This course focusses on your proficiency of field skills and contextual knowledge within earth and environmental sciences. Each section focuses on a specific skill set and represents a way of acknowledging achievements or skill acquisition at a granular level.
Key field skills included in this course are navigation, field observations and note-taking, and field sketching.
Field Observations and Note-taking
This course focusses on your proficiency of field skills and contextual knowledge within earth and environmental sciences. Each section focuses on a specific skill set and represents a way of acknowledging achievements or skill acquisition at a granular level.
Key field skills included in this course are navigation, field observations and note-taking, and field sketching.
Field Observations and Note-taking
This section introduces how to set yourself up to be an effective observer and recorder using the platform of a field notebook. A field notebook serves many potential purposes. It is a valuable record of what you have seen, heard, discussed, and thought about in the field. It may contain the data which will lead to an oral presentation, a report, thesis, or even a scientific journal article. It may be a graded portion of a course. Or it may be something you and your relatives will find interesting decades in the future.
This section provides you with the knowledge, platforms, skills to guide you in taking quality and organised notes while in the field.
Navigation
The purpose of this section is to learn the fundamentals behind navigation and to develop core navigation skills. Today’s technology allows more confidence and safety in outdoor activities, but there are still some fundamental knowledge and skills you need to have to effectively use these.
What would be the key skills needed to be able to successfully navigate your way out of a situation? You may be in a situation where technology fails you or services are unavailable. This section focusses on specific tools and skill development in particular compass, GPS, base maps, and yourself. Being able to interpret and navigate a landscape gives a much deeper understanding of the lay of the land, how to identify your location, and how to move through it.
Field Sketching
This section introduces the basics of sketching, developing your skills and confidence so that you can create field sketches that support your scientific observations and data collection.
Data collection in the field is not just focussed on written notes, hard data, and measurements (quantitative data), it is also supported with sketches – drawings of nature, objects, flora, fauna, landscapes, architecture etc., which represent qualitative data. This section builds your ability to develop field sketches that provide a record of field observations & measurements, that give a summary of key features, that interprets photographs taken in the field, and provide useful memory aids.
This section develops skills and confidence in creating field sketches that are not masterpieces, works of art or textbook-perfect sketches. But simple drawings or summary diagrams that capture information.
What's inside
Learning objectives
- Familiarize with and perform core navigation skills.
- Develop techniques to make effective scientific observations in the field.
- Distinguish between what is an 'observation' and an 'interpretation'.
- Execute systematic notetaking of scientific field observations and data collection.
- Build your ability to draft field sketches to match what you see in the field.
- Develop and execute fundamental field skills and techniques in the earth and environmental sciences.
- Familiarize with and perform core navigation skills.
- Develop techniques to make effective scientific observations in the field.
- Distinguish between what is an 'observation' and an 'interpretation'.
- Execute systematic notetaking of scientific field observations and data collection.
- Build your ability to draft field sketches to match what you see in the field.
- Develop and execute fundamental field skills and techniques in the earth and environmental sciences.
Good to know
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Activities
Review Earth Science Fundamentals
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Refresh your prior knowledge in earth science fundamentals to have a stronger foundation for the course materials.
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Review key concepts of earth science, such as plate tectonics, the rock cycle, and weather patterns.
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Focus on understanding the basic principles and processes that shape our planet.
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Consult textbooks, online resources, or videos to refresh your knowledge.
Review the basics of earth science
Show steps
Refresh your memory on the fundamental principles of earth sciences to prepare for the course content.
Browse courses on
Earth Sciences
Show steps
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Review your high school notes or textbooks on earth science.
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Go online and browse reputable websites that provide summaries of basic earth science concepts.
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Find videos or documentaries that explain fundamental earth science topics.
Organize Course Materials
Show steps
Stay organized by compiling and reviewing course materials to reinforce your understanding and enhance accessibility.
Show steps
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Create a dedicated folder or notebook for course materials.
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Organize materials by topic or module to facilitate easy retrieval.
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Review materials regularly to strengthen your comprehension.
Four other activities
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Show all seven activities
Discuss Field Observation Techniques
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Engage in peer discussions to share and refine field observation techniques, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange.
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Data Collection Techniques
Show steps
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Form study groups with classmates to discuss field observation methods.
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Share experiences, tips, and challenges encountered during field observations.
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Provide constructive feedback to peers to enhance their observation skills.
GPS Navigation Practice
Show steps
Sharpen your GPS navigation skills through practice drills to confidently use this technology in the field.
Show steps
-
Familiarize yourself with different GPS devices and their functionalities.
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Simulate navigation scenarios using GPS tracking apps or software.
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Practice using GPS to locate specific points, navigate routes, and record tracks.
Sketch Field Observations
Show steps
Enhance your field observation skills by creating sketches that capture your observations, improving your visual documentation abilities.
Show steps
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Carry a sketchbook and pencils during field observations.
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Practice sketching geological formations, plant and animal species, and other relevant features.
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Label and date your sketches, adding notes for future reference.
Contribute to Field Observation Database
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Contribute to the advancement of earth and environmental sciences by sharing your field observation data with a recognized repository.
Browse courses on
Data Sharing
Show steps
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Identify a reputable field observation database or platform that aligns with your research interests.
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Prepare your data in the required format and metadata standards.
-
Upload your data to the database, making it accessible to other researchers and the public.
Review Earth Science Fundamentals
Show steps
Refresh your prior knowledge in earth science fundamentals to have a stronger foundation for the course materials.
Show steps
- Review key concepts of earth science, such as plate tectonics, the rock cycle, and weather patterns.
- Focus on understanding the basic principles and processes that shape our planet.
- Consult textbooks, online resources, or videos to refresh your knowledge.
Review the basics of earth science
Show steps
Refresh your memory on the fundamental principles of earth sciences to prepare for the course content.
Browse courses on
Earth Sciences
Show steps
- Review your high school notes or textbooks on earth science.
- Go online and browse reputable websites that provide summaries of basic earth science concepts.
- Find videos or documentaries that explain fundamental earth science topics.
Organize Course Materials
Show steps
Stay organized by compiling and reviewing course materials to reinforce your understanding and enhance accessibility.
Show steps
- Create a dedicated folder or notebook for course materials.
- Organize materials by topic or module to facilitate easy retrieval.
- Review materials regularly to strengthen your comprehension.
Discuss Field Observation Techniques
Show steps
Engage in peer discussions to share and refine field observation techniques, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange.
Browse courses on
Data Collection Techniques
Show steps
- Form study groups with classmates to discuss field observation methods.
- Share experiences, tips, and challenges encountered during field observations.
- Provide constructive feedback to peers to enhance their observation skills.
GPS Navigation Practice
Show steps
Sharpen your GPS navigation skills through practice drills to confidently use this technology in the field.
Show steps
- Familiarize yourself with different GPS devices and their functionalities.
- Simulate navigation scenarios using GPS tracking apps or software.
- Practice using GPS to locate specific points, navigate routes, and record tracks.
Sketch Field Observations
Show steps
Enhance your field observation skills by creating sketches that capture your observations, improving your visual documentation abilities.
Show steps
- Carry a sketchbook and pencils during field observations.
- Practice sketching geological formations, plant and animal species, and other relevant features.
- Label and date your sketches, adding notes for future reference.
Contribute to Field Observation Database
Show steps
Contribute to the advancement of earth and environmental sciences by sharing your field observation data with a recognized repository.
Browse courses on
Data Sharing
Show steps
- Identify a reputable field observation database or platform that aligns with your research interests.
- Prepare your data in the required format and metadata standards.
- Upload your data to the database, making it accessible to other researchers and the public.
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