| dc.description.abstract | The intent of the study Transfer of Learning in the Field
of Recreation was to determine if the students in the
Recreation Leadership program at Confederation College could
transfer the skills and principles learned in the classroom to
practical applications in the field.
Through qualitative research methods the researcher set
out to determine: (1) if the curriculum taught in the
classroom was applicable to the field; (2) if the students
demonstrated, with confidence, the skills, strategies and
concepts taught in the classroom out in the field; and (3)
what gaps existed between the practices occurring in the field
and the curriculum taught in the course.
In Phase I course outlines were analyzed and a list of
the skills, strategies and concepts recommended as intended
course outcomes was developed. This list was compared with
the DACUM, a chart developed by the Ministry of Colleges and
Universities, to identify intended program outcomes for
graduating students.
In Phase II the researcher collected data on seven
students out on internship to determine the skills, concepts
and strategies demonstrated in the field. Methods of data
collection included observations, interviews and document
analysis of journals and monthly reports.
During Phase III the researcher used comparative analysis
to determine if the actual outcomes demonstrated by the
students in the field were the same as the skills, strategies
and concepts identified in the course outlines and in the
DACUM. The intent of the researcher was to determine the link
between the intended program outcomes and the actual program
outcomes.
The findings focused on three key areas: internship and
the value of field placements to increase student confidence
levels; curriculum revision based on the findings from Phase
I and Phase III of the study; and, using the research design
and methodologies outlined in this study as a viable model for
curriculum evaluation and development.
The study provided the researcher with an opportunity to
look at the existing curriculum practices and compare them to
what is happening in the field of recreation. The findings
and recommendations could have a positive impact on both the
Recreation Leadership program at Confederation College and the
field of recreation. | |
