Journal article
Threshold concepts for Australian university outdoor education programs: Findings from a Delphi research study
Journal of Outdoor and Environmental Education, Vol.22(3), pp.169-186
2019
Abstract
In Australia, when a person wants to work in the outdoor education or recreation field, they can follow a number of different pathways to gain the required knowledge, skills and experience. Typically, this involves the completion of a formal program with either a training organisation or a university, depending on the qualification sought. Programs delivered by training organisations typically use a national training package to define the specific competencies (knowledge and skills) and the curriculum and outcomes of these programs are clearly defined, and qualifications are usually transferable around the country. Outdoor education programs delivered by universities in Australia, however, have no such clarity. This paper describes a research study that used the Delphi research method to consult with academics working in university outdoor education programs across Australia. The research set out to establish a set of threshold concepts that articulate what a student who completes at least a major in outdoor education knows and is able to do. Over two rounds of consultation the six authors of this paper formed the Delphi facilitation team, which solicited input and feedback from an expert panel. Nineteen different university academics participated in the research and produced seven threshold concepts, which are shared in this paper to encourage discussion and invite feedback from a wider range of stakeholders. More research is required to ascertain the efficacy of these threshold concepts in describing what graduates of university outdoor education programs know and can do.
Details
- Title
- Threshold concepts for Australian university outdoor education programs: Findings from a Delphi research study
- Authors
- Glyn J Thomas (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine CoastHeather Grenon (Author) - Federation University AustraliaMarcus Morse (Author) - La Trobe UniversitySandy Allen-Craig (Author) - Australian Catholic UniversityAnthony Mangelsdorf (Author) - University of South AustraliaScott Polley (Author) - University of South Australia
- Publication details
- Journal of Outdoor and Environmental Education, Vol.22(3), pp.169-186
- Publisher
- Springer
- DOI
- 10.1007/s42322-019-00039-1
- ISSN
- 2206-3110
- Organisation Unit
- Indigenous and Transcultural Research Centre; School of Education - Legacy; School of Education and Tertiary Access; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99451374002621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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- Domestic collaboration
- Web Of Science research areas
- Education & Educational Research
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Source: InCites