The evaluation of a training programme in facilitation for instructors of outdoor training interventions

Abstract

Organisations make use of outdoor experiential-based programmes to develop and improve teamwork, leadership, problem solving, communication and trust. The client's experiences during the activity need to be facilitated to ensure that the activity is not just another recreation or fun activity. Facilitators need specific intrapersonal characteristics, interpersonal skills and knowledge to be effective. Many facilitators and even their trainers who assume the facilitation role are not fully prepared for it. Therefore, attention should be given to the training of facilitators. However, a training programme in facilitation for student outdoors leaders at tertiary education institutions has not been properly evaluated. The objective of this research was to determine the effects of a training programme in facilitation for outdoor leaders. A two-group - design with pre- and post-testing was used to evaluate the effect of the training programme in facilitation. Recreation students of the Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education were used as the experimental group. Twenty six volunteers were randomly selected and assigned to the experimental and control groups. The following measuring instruments were used to evaluate the effect of the course: the Personal Orientation questionnaire (for measurement of personality traits), Carkhuff scales (for measurement of interpersonal skills, and the facilitation test (for measuring knowledge of facilitation). Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the effects of the training programme. The results of the empirical study revealed that the knowledge and interpersonal skills (empathy, genuineness, respect, concreteness) of the experimental group showed a significant improvement after the training programme in facilitation. The training programme in facilitation also contributed to the improvement of the experimental group 's listening skills.

The qualitative evaluation of the course indicated that the experimental group took responsibility for themselves, acted more confidently and shared their feelings more openly. In conclusion, recommendations for future research are offered.