"Observation Team Discussion allows students to leave the classroom and observe an environment relevant to key course concepts before returning to discuss what they learned. The activity allows individual students to conduct a structured field observation where students gather primary research within a specific environment and then meet in small groups to discuss, much in the way of a research team meeting. This IDEA emphasizes discussions of social interactions and dynamics (Marshall & Rossman, 2010). Specifically, students discuss what they saw while observing people, events, or locations.This IDEA helps students learn research skills that can benefit them throughout their educational experiences. In addition, discussions of the collected data and the research process assists students in learning how to work with and talk about research. It can prepare them for being a part of a research team. Observation Team Discussions are used in a variety of fields as a primary research method including the social sciences, natural sciences, and education. As a result, this activity may be considered for use across a wide spectrum of disciplines and classes. Students from those in their first semester to advanced doctoral students may complete the activity." — Teaching for Learning, Major CH, Harris MS, Zakrajsek T, 2016 |