Limited scientific research regarding the effectiveness of Adventure-Based
Experiential Learning (AEL) as an instrument to develop personal effectiveness
exists. Furthermore, little attention have been given to factors that influence the
effectiveness of these programmes. As a result the purpose of this study was twofold.
Firstly the study aimed to determine whether AEL is effective in improving the
personal effectiveness of participants scientifically. The Review of Personal
Effectiveness with Locus of Control (Richards et al., 2002) was used to determine the
personal effectiveness of participants. For the first article 23 adolescents currently
enrolled in a post-matric development centre were studied. The study consisted of an
experimental (n=12) and control group (n=11). The experimental group participated
in a five day low risk AEL programme in an urban setting. Pre-post test effect sizes
showed that the experimental group experienced significant (d=0.80) development in
four areas and medium (d=0.50) development in nine areas of personal development,
compared to one medium effect size for the control group. Secondly, the study
investigated whether a processed AEL programme will produce higher short-term
outcomes in terms of personal effectiveness than a non-processed programme. For
the second article a processed experimental group (n=12), a non-processed
experimental group (n=12) and a control group (n=11) were studied. The
experimental groups participated in identical Jive day low risk AEL programmes, with
one group receiving group processing after each activity while the other experimental
group did not. Pre-post test effect sizes for the processed experimental group
indicated significant improvements (d=0.80) in four constructs and medium
improvements (d=0.50) in nine constructs. The non-processed experimental group
achieved significant improvements (d=0.80) in one construct and medium
improvements (d=0.50) in two constructs. Results indicate the importance of
processing for the attainment of AEL programme outcomes. Research into the effect
of AEL design and duration as well as the amount and type of processing on outcomes
is recommended. / Thesis (M.A. (Recreation Science))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2008.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:NWUBOLOKA1/oai:dspace.nwu.ac.za:10394/1665 |
| Date | January 2007 |
| Creators | Weilbach, Johannes Theron |
| Publisher | North-West University |
| Source Sets | North-West University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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