Discovering iRecord

What’s Included:

• 4-week online course for adults, with a weekly time commitment of 3-5 hours.
• Access to study content, activities and tutor-graded assignments through the Field Studies Council virtual learning platform that can be studied and fit the lessons around your own schedule. Understand how our online courses are delivered.
• Access to weekly live virtual classroom sessions at the end of each week with the course tutor through Zoom (recorded for those that are unable to attend the live sessions).
• E-certificate upon course completion.
• This course will involve completing field assignments so learners will benefit from access to a garden or local park.
• See the ‘Example Timetable’ and ‘What’s Included’ sections below for more information about this course.
• Each individual needs to place their own order to ensure we can sign you up to the learning platform and give you access to resources.
• If you have any questions about our online courses please check our Frequently Asked Questions first.
  If your question is still not answered, email [email protected]

This course is aimed at adults only and course attendees must be at least 18 years old in order to attend.

Please note that bookings will close at 9 am on Monday 06 March 2023 to allow for all participants to be enrolled to the online platform – bookings will not be taken after this time.*

* Bookings will close sooner if course capacity is reached

Who Should Attend – Anyone and everyone that is interested in making their wildlife observations count, including students, biological recorders, citizen scientists, ecologists, academics, wildlife photographers and anyone that considers themself a nature enthusiast.

Knowledge Level – Introductory course. Level descriptors can be found on the following webpage: Framework and Course Level Descriptors.

Prior Knowledge – No prior knowledge or experience of wildlife recording, species identification or using iRecord is required for this introductory course.

Course Fees

Regular Price: £60
For professionals and residents outside of the UK. Select ‘Attendee (Online)’

Live Webinar Information

A live webinar will take place at the end of each week.
Please note – webinars will be recorded and uploaded to the virtual learning platform for learners unable to attend.

What topics are covered in this course?

• REC101 Introduction to Biological Recording covers what a biological record is and introduces concepts such as data resolution, data quality and verification. The iRecord platform is introduced and learners are set up with accounts and access to the Discovering iRecord activity for future assignments.
• REC102 Grid References & Submitting Records introduces the technical skills needed to submit records, including grid references and practical experience of submitting real biological records through iRecord in the form of a ‘mini-garden birdwatch’.
• REC103 Data-Flow & iRecord Activities covers what happens to a biological record between the initial observation and use of the record by user groups such as conservationists, scientists and decision-makers. Assignments teach learners how to respond to verifier queries, edit records and look up individual species records on the iRecord system.
• REC104 Exploring & Downloading Data looks at how data can be accessed in iRecord and where to go outside of iRecord to access national and even international datasets. Learners are taught how to download their records and explore data held on the iRecord system.

Keiron Brown

Keiron Derek Brown first became interested in invertebrates during a field-based entomology module at university and went on to volunteer on soil biodiversity research projects at the Natural History Museum (London). This included sorting samples of invertebrates to order level and sampling invertebrates across the New Forest in Hampshire and the Malaysian rainforests of Borneo.

In his spare time, he is the national recorder for earthworms (running the National Earthworm Recording Scheme on behalf of the Earthworm Society of Britain) and the Chair of the Ecology & Entomology section of the London Natural History Society. Keiron now manages the FSC BioLinks project, with the aim of inspiring amateur naturalists to take up the identification and recording of invertebrate groups that are often forgotten and rarely recorded. The courses Keiron teaches include Discovering iRecord, Identifying Terrestrial Invertebrates with Microscopes and our various earthworm courses.

BioLinks

BioLinks was a project funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund that developed training courses on biological recording and invertebrate subjects. As a legacy of this project, spaces are available at a subsidised rate to non-professionals eg. volunteers, biological recorders, wildlife gardeners, amateur naturalists and students. Available to UK residents only.

Student Discount

This course is eligible for a student discount. If you are a current student, please use discount code BioStudent20 at checkout for 20% off all 2023 Biodiversity courses.

Once you sign up you’ll receive an email at least 48 hours in advance of the course opening with details of how to access our easy-to-use platform, Moodle.

Webinars are via Zoom so you won’t need any new software to attend

Please note that bookings will close at 9 am before the course begins to allow for all participants to be enrolled on the Field Studies Council online learning platform. Please see the individual course listing for dates.

This course will involve completing field assignments so learners will benefit from access to a garden or local park.

Recommended Devices

It is recommended that you access your course through a PC or laptop. Please be aware that there will be reduced functionality for both iRecord and the FSC online learning platform if you decide to access the course through a tablet or smartphone. The Field Studies Council is unable to email content directly to you.