I was so thrilled to successfully complete the observations at the Forest School. It was such a treat to spend a couple weeks with the kids, teachers and owners of the school.
Now my task is to organize, visualize and analyze all that data!
In case you are interested I modeled my study off of a landscape architecture project written up this this paper. (Link below)
https://www.thecela.org/pdfs/lrr-pdf/THE%20COGNITIVE%20PLAY%20BEHAVIOR%20AFFORDANCES%20OF%20NATURAL%20AND%20MANUFACTURED%20ELEMENTS%20WITHIN%20OUTDOOR%20PRESCHOOL%20SETTINGS.pdf
In order to analyze the data I am learning a statistical analysis program called R. It requires me to do some programming which is new to me.
I also did a mapping component where I mapped the children in their learning environment. I am learning the computer program called ArcGIS to visualize the spatial data.
Some big learning for me has been around how important good data collection and analysis is, and how valid it can be for design. It also seems important for me that designers can do this type of work themselves, rather than have an external researcher do it. The act of conducting the research, participating in observations and doing my own analysis is critical for design.
Since I don't have much for graphics on this post here is a screenshot of the start of my R program.
Crazy right?
Also here are some paintings I did this week. For more visuals.
