Background/Purpose Adventure based learning (ABL) consists of a deliberate sequence of activities to positively impact the personal and social development of participants (Cosgriff, 2000) Recent research has indicated that ABL has fostered students' interpersonal and interpersonal skills (Sutherland, Ressler, & Stuhr, 2009). The purpose of this study was to explore participants' understanding of interpersonal and intrapersonal skills both within and beyond ABL.
Method The study occurred during a 10 week 4 hrs per week ABL course structured to introduce experiential learning and adventure based learning to undergraduate PETE majors. Data were collected through participant journals, observations, interviews, and photovoice with 25 students. Data were analyzed using open and axial coding (Corbin & Strauss, 2008). Trustworthiness was established through prolonged engagement, developing themes were cross checked against all data sources, member checking, peer debriefing, and negative case analysis.
Analysis/Results Two main themes developed in this study: (a) I know it when I see it - recognition and understanding of the main themes of ABL while engaged in activities, and (b) Beyond ABL – recognition and understanding of the main themes of ABL in their lives beyond the ABL course.
Conclusions Recommendations for PETE include: (a) strategies for increasing understanding of ABL, (b) content knowledge for ABL must include interpersonal and intrapersonal skills, group dynamics, and strategies to enhance transfer ,and (c) use of photovoice for documenting interpersonal and intrapersonal growth.