Master's thesis - - State University of New York College at Cortland, 2006 - - Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 74-6).

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin -- La Crosse, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 47-50)

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin--La Crosse, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 47-50).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2007. / Title from first page of PDF file. Includes bibliographical references (p. 258-268).

Thesis (M.S.)--Springfield College, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references. Also available online (PDF file) by a subscription to the set or by purchasing the individual file.

Thesis (M.S.)--Springfield College, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references.

Title: Evaluation of pupils' interest in adventure activities during school physical education lessons Objectives: The aim of the master thesis is to evaluate the interest in adventurous activities of pupils aged 11 to 15 at the Elementary school Bronzová in Prague, based on a set up adventurous program. Methods: The research sample consisted of 145 pupils, aged 11 to 15, 78 girls and 67 boys. Data were gathered by a questionnaire, which included closed, semi-closed and open questions addressed to pupils. Further data were collected by teachers' observation. Gathered data were recorded in writing, graphically processed and evaluated. Results: Results showed that pupils were actively involved in the adventurous programme and were interested in adventurous activities within the physical education lessons. They have experienced the greatest adventure on the obstacles and during trust activities. Pupils do not seek adventurous activities during their free time. Keywords: adventure, experience, adventure education, initiative games, adventure programme

Throughout relevant literature and through the discourses attached to it outdoor education is often described in terms of its purposes. Among other things it is often said to be education out of doors, personal and social education, or education about self, others and the environment. While this reflects concerns among practitioners it has led to a relative scarcity of critical reviews of the field’s practice. The research reported in this thesis brings a new perspective to the study of outdoor education. A Practice Model is proposed from research that takes a social constructionist epistemology and an interpretive perspective in a study of outdoor education. Using ideas of a community of practice the research examined the literature and interviewed outdoor education practitioners in residential outdoor centres. The residential context served to provide access to discrete communities of practice in outdoor centres and to focus the research on general outdoor adventure education. Through this an understanding of the practice of outdoor education was developed. Three dimensions of outdoor education practice were identified as ‘adventure’, ‘learning from experience’ and ‘new space’. These three dimensions of the Practice Model are proposed as a tool for analysis and critique of current practice and for re-thinking and developing practice.

Nine teenage participants and two adult guides were followed throughout a 10 day white water canoe trip to investigate the relationship between their impressions of connection with nature and the canoe trip experience, and their interactions with nature and the canoe trip experience. Themes providing a description of these relationships were identified and three major findings emerged. The first was that multiple themes mediating participants’ connectedness with nature did so both towards connection and disconnection. The second was that participants’ state of comfort was related to an impression of connection with nature while their state of discomfort was related to an impression of disconnection from nature. The third was that the relationship between participants’ connectedness and interactions with nature differed depending on the context (e.g., nature versus civilization). Possible directions for future research include investigating changes in participants’ conception of nature and the relationship between comfort and connection with nature.

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