Impact of one-day adventure-based experiential learning (AEL) programme on life effectiveness skills of adult learners

Abstract

Despite positive claims made by advocates of adventure-based experiential learning (AEL), sceptics could be concerned that such claims are overzealous. Due to the expansion of AEL programmes into management training in business schools and the corporate world, ongoing empirical investigations relating to the efficacy of AEL in the workplace is necessary. The aim of this study was to determine the developmental impact of a one-day AEL programme on the life effectiveness skills of adult learners in a business school. A one-day ropes course programme was offered to 140 adult learners from the business school. The Life Effectiveness Questionnaire, Version H (LEQ-H), served as measurement tool and it was administered as a pre- and post-test measurement. The overall post-test scores of the experimental group (n=140) were significantly higher (p=0.0001) than the post-test scores of the control group (n=126). The post-test scores of four dimensions differed significantly (p<0.05) from the post-test scores of the control group. The findings indicate the potential efficacy of an AEL course for the development of life effectiveness skills in adult learners. It demonstrates the necessity of ongoing research directed at principles underlying the application of particular methodologies and other programmatic factors to maximise efficacy.

Key words: Adventure; Experiential learning; Life effectiveness; Adult learners.