ERIC Number: EJ739546
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2005
Pages: 20
Abstractor: Author
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1053-8259
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Exploration of Challenge Courses' Long-Term Effects on Members of College Student Organizations
Hatch, Katharine D.; McCarthy, Christopher J.
Journal of Experiential Education, v27 n3 p245-264 2005
This study examined the long-term effects of participation in a half-day, low-element challenge course on the group functioning of members of college student organizations. Seventy-six participants completed measures of group cohesion, group effectiveness, and individual effectiveness within the group at four points in time: (a) one week prior to the course (baseline), (b) immediately prior to the course (pretest), (c) immediately following the course (posttest), (d) and two months after the course (follow-up). Results showed no change in group functioning from baseline to pretest, significant increases in group functioning from pretest to posttest, and a return to pretest levels of group functioning at follow-up. Implications of these results and ideas for extending the longevity of challenge course gains are discussed. (Contains 1 table.)
Descriptors: Pretests Posttests, Student Organizations, College Students, Student Participation, Group Unity, Group Membership, Experiential Learning, Measures (Individuals), Adventure Education, Case Studies, Interpersonal Competence, Teamwork
Association for Experiential Education. 3775 Iris Ave., Suite 4, Boulder, CO 80301. Tel: 866-522-8337; Fax: 303-440-9581; e-mail: publications@aee.org; Web site: http://www.aee.org.
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A