Ethnographic Fieldnotes #3

During class time we had to observe what we saw during our "meet and greet." After we were given a list of the categories to keep in mind as we wrote down our observation: jottings, headnotes, things I remembered later, and observations about what happened. Being it the first time many of us had to perform the Ethnographical way, it was a challenge. But now that we have had some hands on experience with it and understand it better, its not that bad. Here is what I observed:

• Everyone was nervous to meet someone new.
• Only nervous when you don’t know what to talk about
• Girls basically stayed with girls and guys stayed with guys
• Even though there were only two guys in class
• I sat because I was tired and stayed close to my belongings
• Professor was quite involved with what her students were talking about – maybe to better understand what they were about as well.
• The discussion would have been a lot easier if there was a topic to discuss.
• Felt like speed dating
• There were usually two or three people to a group.
• People stayed were they were supposed to (in the isle)
• Not many people moved around. Just enjoyed the awkward silence, since we didn’t know what we were doing.
• I noticed that two people had nose rings and many people were talking about how they were teaching majors
• I spoke to Jaleel and Elijah and we reintroduced ourselves because we had class together before
• I also noticed that people who still knew each other stayed close to one another.
• Jaleel had a GEEK sweatshirt on. I liked it
• Many people were talking notes. I observe and remember well enough to be able to type about it later.
• The atmosphere – beginning felt uncomfortable, the end was a bit more comfortable
• Was more relaxed when you were able to talk to people you already knew. Since in the beginning you were made to talk to people you didn’t know.
• Volume and sound – quiet in the beginning and louder at the end, more laughter closer to the end.