Fieldtrip GB – data on the go

Fieldtrip GB Home Screen

Fieldtrip GB Mapping Screen

EDINA has been working on an app that will support teaching, learning and research by making it easier to collect data in the field.

Fieldtrip GB is being launched this month and will support iPhone and Android devices.

This app is built around the map. Maps are a powerful research tool and EDINA has considerable experience in delivering clear cartography over the internet.

The primary purpose of Fieldtrip GB is to allow users to capture data, and the app supports the collection of images, audio, text and GPS tracks. Data is saved to the device’s storage and can be uploaded to the user’s cloud storage area (e.g. DropBox).

Maps can be saved to the device so that the user has access to them when in areas of poor, or no, data connectivity, which also has the additional benefits of reducing battery use and does not consume the user’s data allowance.

The mapping in Fieldtrip GB uses open data, including OS Open Data and OpenStreetMap, optimised for small screens. The app supports data collection in both urban and rural areas.

In addition to the basic data capture, users can set up complex bespoke forms through the Authoring Tool, a web interface that allows users to create forms by dragging elements to a work space. Users can make elements mandatory to ensure that data is recorded and not forgotten.

Completed forms are uploaded to the user’s cloud storage area, to access and save to their device through the “sync” function. Forms are simple XML templates and quick to download over a slow data connection. Once collected, users can upload data to a web-based “Record Viewer” for searching and filtering, creating simple charts and making interactive maps to use and share.

EDINA has designed Fieldtrip GB for anyone working in education to support field trip exercises and citizen-science projects, but we imagine it will be used for other purposes. It represents the first step in a plan to create a Wordpress-type platform for educators to create their own themed mobile apps supporting a variety of learning, teaching and research activities. For more information and to download the app:

• Fieldtrip GB blog