FIELD DATA COLLECTION WITH ODK

This session will cover how to collect Traditional Ecological Knowledge and other information while offline in the field and sync it to a map, using Android mobile devices and Open Data Kit, an open source platform. Participants will learn how to collect, host and view information in a spreadsheet and on a map. You’ll also learn to build and deploy the survey forms, that can include questions, GPS readings, photos, audio and more.

View and download slide deck here.

If you would like to use your personal Android device for the hands-on activities (ODK is not available for OS devices):

• Go into your settings and make sure your location (GPS) is turned on (this might be in security/privacy)
• Go to the Android Play Store and download "ODK Collect" on your Android device
• Configure ODK Collect
  • Open the app
  • Click on the menu (3 vertical dots at upper righthand corner) and select "General Settings"
  • Select "Server"
  • Click on "Type: ODK Aggregrate" and switch to "Type: Google Drive, Google Sheets"
  • Click on Google Account and select your Google account (you need to be signed into your Google Account)

1. Go to build.opendatakit.org
2. Create an account
3. Give your blank form a title. The title should be one word only - make sure you keep the name simple or you will get errors.
4. Click on the "Text" button at the bottom to add a text question. On the right you will find the editor.
5. Fill out the Data Name field (one word, no punctuation). This is your column header. i.e. "name"
6. Fill out the Label field (no limits). This is the question that will appear on your phone. i.e. "What is your name?"
7. Click on the "Location button" to add a GPS location question.
8. Add one more question of your choosing, for example a Photo question.
9. Click File > Save.

1. On your laptop create a Google Drive folder for your ODK project. Go to drive.google.com and click Add new > Folder. Give the folder a name.
2. Create a response Sheet in the Drive folder by clicking Add new > Sheet. Click Share and make the Sheet "Anyone with the link can edit" then copy the Sheet URL.
3. In ODK Build, click Edit > Form Properties. Enter the Sheet url in the submission URL field.
4. In ODK Build, download your form as an XML by clicking File > Export to XML then in the pop up, click "Download."
5. In Drive, upload your XML file. Click New > Field Upload to upload your xml form to the Drive folder.
6. Click on the XML file inside the folder, then click Share button. Change the settings to "Anyone with the link" can edit and add any individuals who need to download the form on their Android. For a person to be able to download your form, the form must be shared with their Google account so they see in their "Shared With Me" Drive files.
7. On your Android phone (either your personal phone or a loaner phone), open ODK Collect and click Get Blank Form to find your new form. Download the Form.
8. Click Fill Blank Form and fill out your survey. Save your Form. Use Send Finalized Form to send your answers to the Google Sheet.
9. Look to make sure the submitted data appears in your Response Google Sheet

1. Create a new My Map. In Google Drive, click New > More > Google My Map
2. Give the map a title and description.
3. Under "Untitled Layer", click "Import."
4. In the pop-up, click "Google Drive" and click your response sheet, then "Select."
5. Your ODK data should load on the map (remember you must have location data in your Form to make a map visualization).