Table
II. Examples of Low Element Outdoor Activities
Activity
|
Objective
|
Task
|
Criss Cross
|
To encourage creativity in
problem solving, group trust and cohesion.
|
Two
team members traverse on cables that create an “x” with the aid of the group.
|
Log Jam
|
To explore different problem
solving techniques while physically challenging team members.
|
Three
participants progress from one of the jam to the other by maneuvering the
suspended logs on the cable.
|
Porthole
|
To achieve a higher level of
trust among team members, discover group characteristics and dynamics not
previously surfaced, and feel a heightened sense of accomplishment.
|
Team
members work together to pass each participant through a suspended tire.
|
Swinging Log
|
To increase one’s sense of
physical self and group support.
|
Participants
walk across a moving, slightly suspended log using peer support as needed.
|
The Traverse
|
To promote realistic goal
setting, and support toward team members physically and emotionally.
|
Participants
move from the first tire to the last tire in a series laid out on the ground.
|
This picture depicts a team working together to complete the Criss Cross activity.
This is a photo of the Log Jam activity.
Below, we see a team working together to complete the Porthole activity.
The picture to the right shows a team completing the Swinging Log activity.
Below, a team is working together to successfully complete The Traverse activity.
So our Program Design wouldn't turn into a novel, we selected these five activities to include in our paper. Here are more photos of other interesting Challenge Education activities we didn't have room for ~
This one is called the Spider Web...does the dude in the plaid shirt seem calm?!?
This picture is a team about to complete the
Higher Level Trust Fall ... too bad we can't see this guy's facial expression!
And last but not least... this picture shows a team completing the Wild Woozy...
hopefully before they consumed any boozy!!!
Please leave us a comment! We'd love to hear from you!
I like the team spirit and I can see where it would develop team trust and support. Has that been experienced in the activities or has a competitive spirit interrupted the support goal. Within say 10 different groups how many might turn into a more competitive atmosphere? Is that an implication ? Great Blog very colorful.
ReplyDeleteHi Frank,
DeleteThanks for your comment. Within teams, there is always the spirit of competition, however, the problems are designed to build camaraderie and teamwork. What you do sometimes see is leadership emerging in places you did not expect when teams have challenges getting all members successfully through each problem. Challenge education is a great way to build unity and teamwork for organizations of all kinds.
I am really interested in your research into program design for experiential learning. Did you come up with the activity ideas yourself or get them from somewhere? They all look like a lot of fun as well as great activities for trust, leadership, and team building.
ReplyDeleteI would have two critiques for you, it would be great to see your entire paper to see where you got the ideas and the specifics of your potential program. Also getting an idea about the basics of experiential learning and how it fits into your program. Second thought is that if you got this material from a source, that should be noted and referenced, even in informal posts.
(*side note- I just found your program design! It was not on the home page! Great ideas and concepts and I think that the program could be implemented anywhere- with the right resources of course. It was really helpful to see all of your tables that really simplified and outlined the program design. GREAT JOB!)
Hi Samantha! Yes, unfortunately, our blog page only allows one blog post to be seen at one time so in order to read our paper [which includes citations and all our references at the end], people have to click on the 'view older posts' tab. Kathy has actually experienced the Challenge Education approach and suggested it for our group. Some of the ideas for outdoor activities, ice breakers & reflection were found on websites, others were from our own experiences and remembrances of activities we've done ourselves as educators with adult learners. We're glad you found our paper and found the tables helpful! Debi & Group 2
DeleteI would have two critiques for you, it would be great to see your entire paper to see where you got the ideas and the specifics of your potential program. Also getting an idea about the basics of experiential learning and how it fits into your program. Second thought is that if you got this material from a source, that should be noted and referenced, even in informal posts.
Delete---- These are excellent critiques, Samantha! Yes, it is important to point out where the ideas are from.
I will copy these to Comments under group 2's program design paper so that other students can benefit from these critiques.
Bo
Hello Dr. Chang! As explained in the response to Samantha, because the paper was posted first and the blog post containing the photos [which is meant as a supplement & just for fun] was posted second, the paper must be accessed through the 'older posts.' For some reason the blog page only displays one blog at a time, and the last post [in this case, the supplemental blog] is the only one that is displayed. On behalf of the group, I apologize for the inconvenience! Thanks for understanding! :) Debi
DeleteGroup 2- Experimental Learning.
ReplyDeleteA picture is work thousand words. The addition of the above supplemental material is golden. I particularly like that you where selective instead of all inclusive (ie. did not write a novel). Very concise and broken down in to a few examples. Well down
Keith
Thank you, Keith! We're glad you took the time to check out our blog! Our aim was to be specific enough that anyone would get the whole picture without over kill or being redundant. Debi & Group 2
Delete