OVERVIEW
As field trip reporters for the “Seneca News” your DIY field tripassignment involves choosing an event or destination RELATED TIO ANY
SPORTS IN SOCIETY TOPIC and report back on what you find out. In your DIY field trip report that you choose on your own and complete
during the semester, you will uncover details about your destination and audience, as well as explore and address current issuesrelated
to your choice.
Goals for the Field Trip Report are to:
• Buildobservation skills so you can reflect on how theory applies to real world situations
• Observe professional practice that challenges or redefines existing theories
• Obtain evidence that enhances your argument or position on a certain topic/issue
• Improve yourcritical-thinking and problem solving skills
• Increaseempathy, understanding and tolerance of others
• Motivate you to participate more fully as active students now and in the future
WRITTEN REPORT REQUIREMENTS
Basic criteria for your field trip report:
• 6 pages, double-spaced, 12 point font
• Include a cover page with title, your full name, student ID, submission date and course code
• Write your DIY field trip report in the PAST tense
• Include 2 appendices at the end of your report
• Cite sources using MLA where applicable. DO NOT USE Wikipedia as source material.
• Suggestions: pro sports event, museum, parade, sports bar, launch, festival, kids event, park/s, public gathering, tournament,
championship, recreation class, gym, fitness event – be creative!
Your field trip report should follow the structure outlined below:
1. Introduction
Your1 PARAGRAPH introduction should set the stage for your report. In it, you should describe yourmain objective/s;outline the
important concepts behind your field trip; describe the nature of the organization or setting where you are conducting your
observations;and highlight the methods you used for collecting data.
2. Description of Activities
An understanding of what happened on your field trip will come from the1-2 PAGE description section of your report. Make sure to
provide sufficient details using the “Five W’s structure” which is:
1. WHAT– describe what you observed; general impressions of the situation you were observing – note the order in which events
unfold and the moment when actions or events take place
2. WHERE– provide background information about the physical setting; noting important objects/arrangements that help put it into
context [e.g., arrangement of organizers and the crowd)
3. WHEN– record factual data about the day and the beginning and ending time
4. WHO– note the participants present in terms of age, gender, ethnicity, and/or any other variables relevant to your experience.
Listen to what is being said, how is it being said, and the tone of conversation. Note body movements, posture and/or facial
expressions as well.
5. WHY– describe the reasons for selectingyour destination or event. Connect your choice and written material to your personal,
professional and sports interests and goals for the future.
3. Interpretation and Analysis
Your 1 PAGE analysis and interpretation of your field tripshould connect what you saw and experienced to the larger context of the
issue/s you describe in your introduction. Remember, you are presenting information as informed and unbiased student reporters.
Below are questions to consider for this section:
• What did you learn from what you observed?
• What evidence do you have for your analysis and reasoning?
• What events or behaviors were typical or widespread?
• Was anything unusual or strange in your experience?
• Do you see any connections or patterns in what you observed?
• How did the destination impact your experience?
• How do your observations fit into the larger context of our course?
• What is your next step(s) in terms of processing your experience?
• How has your perception of sport in society changed?
4. Conclusion and Recommendations
Your 1-2 PARAGRAPH conclusionshould briefly recap your field trip, highlighting the significance of your observations. Avoid including
any new information.It should also include THREE RECOMMENDATIONSTHAT YOU HAVE FOR THE CLASS that focus on ways they can learn more, get
involved,and take action. An example, “Everyone should go to their local park to watch kids play soccer and see how they learn a sport.
5. Appendix
Appendices add value to your findings and helps the reader understand the overall field report. You are required to include 2 items in
the Appendix of your DIY field Trip. The Appendix section is the last section of your report and is not counted in the 4 page written
requirement.
Examples of appendices include: photos (credit photographer), statistics, tables/charts/graphs, maps, drawings, interviews, press
releases, news articles, etc. There is no limit as long as it is relevant to the report.
Each requires a title such as: “Appendix # 1 – Brochure Cover” or “Appendix # 2 – photo of the game by xxxx”
Helpful reminders for writing your field report:
• Systematically observe and accurately record what you see and hear as you are there. Go with a plan!
• Continuously analyze your observations and lookfor meanings underlying the actions.
• Ask yourself: What’s going on? What does this mean? What else does this relate to?
• Keep yourreport goals in mind while you are observing; stay focused and pay attention to everything
• Choose a destination/event that you’re interested in! Your choice impacts the quality of your writing.
• The more creative you are in your choice, and the bigger “risk” you take, the more you learn
ASSESSMENT
Your assessment, (50 marks, worth 25% of your total mark)will be based on:
• Outline for your DIY field trip report (5%)
• Final DIY field trip report (20%)