Many composition teachers have been assigning journals for years; to encourage students to write in their journals, many teachers allow a few minutes at the end of each class period for students to work. The observations are no different.
Many students often forget to make their observations because they simply see the computer and the Internet as a medium for typing papers and not as a tool for creating and submitting work. If the computer and the Internet are integral parts of class activities and assignments, then the LRO and the observations will be seen as such. To help integrate the LRO into class activities, simply allow a few minutes at the beginning or the end of class (preferably the end when observations are still fresh) for students to work on their observations. In addition, allotting such time also allows you to read and comment on some student observations!