The following recent literature review of outdoor education research can be
downloaded from:
http://www.unh.edu/outdoor-education/publications.html#keyrespub
McKenzie, M. D. (2000). How are Adventure Education Program Outcomes
Achieved?: A review of the literature. Australian Journal of Outdoor
Education, 5(1), 19-28. (.1 MB)
Abstract
This article provides an overview of the existing literature on how program
outcomes are achieved. It is divided into categories of program
characteristics that the literature suggests contribute to program
outcomes, including: the physical environment, activities, processing, the
group, instructors, and the participant. Outcomes referred to throughout
the article are those generally associated with adventure education
programs, such as increases in participants' self-concepts and
interpersonal skills. The reviewed literature indicates that the current
understanding of how adventure education program outcomes are achieved is
based largely on theory, rather than on empirical research. Further
research could provide adventure educators with a better understanding of
why programs work and enable them to tailor programs to increase their
effectiveness. Before quantitative methods can become useful in an
examination of how outcomes are achieved, it seems necessary to use
qualitative methods to inductively discover all the program characteristics
that are possibly affecting the outcomes experienced by participants.
Marcia McKenzie is an instructor at Outward Bound Western Canada and a
doctoral student in education at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver,
British Columbia. She can be contacted #305-2115 Cypress Street,
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, V6M 3J3, or at [log in to unmask]
"As a net is made up of a series of ties, so everything in
this world is connected by a series of ties. If anyone thinks
that the mesh of a net is an independent, isolated thing, he is
mistaken. It is called a net because it is made up of a series
of interconnected meshes, and each mesh has its place and
responsibility in relation to other meshes."
-- Buddha
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James T. Neill
Department of Kinesiology
University of New Hampshire
New Hampshire Hall
124 Main Street
Durham, NH 03824
USA
voice: 603 862 3047
fax: 603 862 0154
email: [log in to unmask]
Professional Home Page: http://www.unh.edu/outdoor-education/JamesNeill.htm
UNH Outdoor Education Program: http://www.unh.edu/outdoor-education/index.html
UNH Outdoor Education Research & Evaluation Center:
http://www.unh.edu/outdoor-education/research.html
