The Association for Educational Communication and Technology recommends using marginal notes to record categories (codes) to label handwritten observations. For example, student teachers might note and abbreviate the following categories as they observe a classroom: student engagement (E), discipline strategies (D) and learning outcomes (L). In the past, note takers have photocopied their notes, stored them in boxes and arranged them by categories. Today, computers allow observers to organize data more efficiently, easily search for key words and create PDF files of handwritten notes.
The International Development Research Centre recommends organizing field notes in chronological order. For example, note takers could refer to the days in May as M1 to M31, followed by the number of notes, such as M10, p. 3 (May 10, page 3). Similarly, "Researching Second Language Classrooms" suggests a time order approach to provide a narrative of events. Using this strategy, students observing a homeless shelter for a service learning project could focus on the timeline of dilemmas that a homeless family experiences.
Note takers may arrange important observations by significance of categories. For example, if the most important classroom outcome focuses on learning outcomes, it could rank as No. 1; No. 2 might involve student engagement. The student or researcher must rank and evaluate the criteria. Multiple observers could record their notes online in a group wiki, blog or discussion board.
Note takers may observe particular locations or individuals in their field notes. For example, a student teacher may organize notes based on two different students -- one in an affluent setting and one in an underprivileged community. To record these observations, today's note takers can use a number of apps on their iPhones and iPads to describe classroom activities and interviews. Voice-activated technology allows note takers to record interviews from their field notes more accurately. Continued technological improvement can enhance the quality and organization of field notes.