A Change Making Initiative - Observation Challenge

Observation Challenge:

Observe and analyze everyday Objects

Here, you can learn about observation skills - a key skill to have for budding tinkerers and innovators.

INTRODUCTION

1. What is Observation?

Observation is the act of seeing or taking notice of something. It requires focus and attention. We can bring as many of our senses to observe - eyes to see, ears to hear, nose to smell, tongue to taste, and skin to touch. When observing something, we need to absorb facts as they are, while suspending judgement about what we are observing. If we judge while we are observing, our bias and prejudice may interfere within our observation and cloud the observation itself.

Observe people, birds, animals, plants & trees, sky, weather, vehicles, machines, situations, environment, traffic, sounds, smell, taste, touch, etc. If you are a keen observer, you will be able to identify many things around you in everyday life. Observation is the first step in solving a problem.

Exercise: Watch the below three videos. Observe carefully and record your observations. Don't interpret your observation, don't analyze your observation, don't dramatize anything. Don't give names to what you see. Just observe silently and record only what you see or hear, nothing else !

Do the above exercise before proceeding further.

2. Why is observation skills important for ATL students?

Observation skill refers to collecting data, understanding and interpreting the meaning of the information using all the senses. Observation skill is a key component of the innovator’s DNA, as it enables them to carefully watch the world around them and find different and superior ways to solve problems. Observation skill is very important for problem-solvers, tinkerers and innovators because it helps them to:

3. What do we do with our observation?

Once we have completed our observation and recorded the same, it is time to question our observation and analyze it. We have to repeatedly ask questions such as "what", "who", "why", "when", "how", and "where" regarding our observation. When we critically question & analyze our observation, we may be able to identify one or more problems faced by people involved in the situation or scenario. Note that observation and analysis of the observation are two different steps. One should not mix the two together. Otherwise, our bias and prejudices may interfere within our observation and cloud our observation. Watch the below video to understand more about analysis.

assignment work:

Observe and analyze a few physical objects mentioned in the below slide-deck. Record your observations and analysis in the observation chart, whose template is provided in the slide deck. Refer to the example provided in the slide deck to get started.

Observation Challenge.pdf

Fill up your observations in a chart and submit the same as part of assignment submission.