Courses: Introductory Research Methods, Digital Cultures. Objectives: This activity introduces students to participant observation as a method for data collection. Through this activity, students will gain experience taking observational field notes. The debriefing discussion will allow students to practice using their observational notes as evidence to support or refute an argument. This activity can also be used as a prompt for students to reflect on their own smartphone usage as a gateway to or a shield from social interaction.