The impact of an adventure based experiential learning programme on the life effectiveness of black high school learners

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of an adventure based experiential learning programme (AEP) in developing the life effectiveness of black high school learners. "Life Effectiveness" reflects the psychological and behavioural aspects of human functioning which determine the proficiency of a person in society. A total of eighty learners (forty boys and forty girls) aged between 12 and 17 years participated in this programme. They were categorized into an experimental (n = 40) and control group (n = 40). The experimental group participated in a five day AEP in the Vredefort Dome in the North-West Province. "The Life Effectiveness Questionnaire" (LEQ-H) was administered before, directly after and six months after the intervention programme to determine the immediate and long term effects of the AEP. Results for total life effectiveness for the short and long term for the experimental group indicated effect sizes of d = 0.03 and d = -0.03, respectively, while for the control group d = 0.12 and d = -0.06 was, respectively obtained. The intergroup results for the experimental and control categories, yielded overall medium effect sizes of d = 0.35 and d = 0.49 over the short and long term respectively, after comparing the adjusted means. The AEP promoted beneficial short and long term changes in the experimental group in contrast to the control category.