ERIC Number: EJ1070421
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2006
Pages: 9
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1324-1486
EISSN: N/A
Effects of a Five-Day Outward Bound Course on Female Students in Singapore
Keng, Chee; Wang, John; Liu, Woon Chia; Kahlid, Abdul
Australian Journal of Outdoor Education, v10 n2 p20-28 2006
It is commonly claimed that outdoor adventure programmes produce positive changes in participants by exposing them to adventure activities designed to encourage self-discovery and character building. Previous studies have focused on the impact of rehabilitative adventure therapy programmes and adventure education programmes for male dominated or co-ed environments, however little is known about girls' motivations for participating in adventure educational programmes and their associated outcomes. The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of a five-day Outward Bound course among young, female secondary students in Singapore. A total of 149 female students aged from 13 to 16 years from a single cohort took part in the study. Results showed that the course had positive impacts on the participants' social skills, interpersonal skills, leadership, and self-esteem. The effect sizes ranged from 0.24 to 0.64, which were consistent with the moderate change of previous outdoor programmes effect size research (Hattie, Marsh, Neill, & Richards, 1997). In addition, intrinsic motivation positively predicted participants' satisfaction level after the course. Overall, this study showed that outdoor adventure programmes can have a positive impact on adolescent Singaporean girls.
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Outdoor Education, Females, Adventure Education, Rehabilitation, Therapy, Secondary School Students, Adolescents, Student Attitudes, Self Esteem, Interpersonal Competence, Leadership Qualities, Effect Size, Student Motivation, Satisfaction, Program Effectiveness
Outdoor Council of Australia. 150 Caxton Street, Milton, Queensland 4064, Australia. Tel: +61-7-3369-9455; Fax: +61-7-3369-9355; e-mail: secretariat@outdoorcouncil.asn.au; Web site: http://www.outdoorcouncil.asn.au
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Singapore
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A