Observation: Hour 1

In order to conduct accurate observations, observations were broken up into three parts according to the location within Caribou Coffee to correspond with each hour. The first hour, observations were made within the wider area of the shop; this area is closest to the counter and therefore is louder. Upon my arrival, I noticed that there were many two person tables among the back of this area that were full of students that seemed to be avidly studying. They were not socializing but studying individually, absorbed in their laptops, with coffee cups in hands and headphones on. In the lower section of this area were larger tables. There were two separate groups that appeared to be studying. One group had books and laptops all over the table and though they would do some individual work; within a few minutes, they would be asking each other questions or explaining a topic. However, they would also include personal statements within the conversation so that they would sometimes get sidetracked from studying. However, they seemed to be effectively studying. The second group, upon closer observation, was not studying for a particular subject. Instead, they seemed to be having an educational discussion about a previous lecture or practicing for a speech. There were some notes on the table that were looked at and taken but for the most part, one person discussed a topic while the other asked questions.

While in this area, I noticed that the music was louder. The workers would also carry loud conversations with one another and their customers but this did not seem to bother the studiers or prevent them from accomplishing their task. Towards the end of the hour, conversations seemed to curiously get louder and where previously, the higher area of the coffee shop seemed to attract individuals, some people joined the individuals upstairs. Therefore, where there had been only individuals, there was one group of two studiers upstairs. And upon leaving, I noticed that there were four study groups composed of two people within this area