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OBSERVATION.
Practical
exercise
Brief introduction about importance
of observation in relation to site/system analysis and "working with nature"
(got to know what she's up to first by observation).
Distinction between random observation
and thematic observation raised.
Observation broadened to include
other senses, (sound, smell, taste etc.).
Practical 1.
Small groups sent off to generate
sets of random observations.
- 15-20 minutes for 5-10 random
observations.
- Groups return and observations
are collated on white/black board
- Observations have to be examined
as to whether they contain implicit assumptions
- Assumptions get stripped out-
only pure observations allowed; e.g.. "there are rabbit droppings on the path"
becomes "there are droppings on the path."
- Observations may generate speculations;
"maybe the droppings are rabbit droppings?"
- Observations may begin to group
themselves, i.e.. some will be obviously related.
Practical 2.
- Small groups sent off to make
thematic observations (e.g.. droppings or rabbits)
- Observations collated in the same
way.
- Speculations/hypotheses can be
generated from the observations.
- Further observations or small
scale experiments can then be designed and conducted.
- Results of experiments can be
observed leading to conclusions or further speculation, observation etc.
Practical 3
- An observation book/sheet/ board
can be maintained throughout the course
- Course members can be encouraged
to note random observations within/on it
- The observations can be speculated
upon and grouped a number of times during the course
- (Peoplecare stuff tends to come
out of this one)
[the basic ideas for this came from
the Bill Mollison course at Ragman's Lane Farm, spring 1991.]
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