Book Review on Outdoor Education or Adventure Learning 2

Dick Prouty, Jane Panicucci & Rufus Collinson

Adventure Education Theory and Applications

United States of America: Project Adventure, 2007

264pp. US $32.00

ISBN - 13: 978-0-7360-6179-7

ISBN – 10: 0-7360-6179-7

The purpose for the authors to write this book is to allow us to explore adventure education, look at history, philosophy, cornerstone concepts, key outcomes and current context of adventure education through the eyes of some of the experts in this field. This book also aims to empower many people to find meaningful roles in designing, leading and implementing one of the fastest-growing and most effective types of education.

In this book, it has a greater detail in term of the history of how Adventure Education or came about. There are 2 sections of the book that stated the history of Adventure Education. First section comes from page 6 –page 11, it stated clearly the milestone and achievement of Adventure Education. Second section comes at page 20 – page 21 of the book that states the history of Adventure Education.  By understanding the history of Adventure Education, we can easily grasp the concept and apply this concept.

In this book, it also stated the several philosophies and theories. At page 23, it clearly states the philosophy. At page 26 – page 27, it clearly states the various psychological theories and sociological theories. For example, the theory on optimal arousal, it is more for novelty, variety, and change are important variables in psychological health.

In this book, it is very special as it consists of several people who are in various jobs and how the job is liked. For example, at page 30, it stated a master degree in recreation with emphasis in outdoor recreation, David Calvin, and that how his job is like. It clearly states why David Calvin likes the job that he is doing. This could act as an encouragement for those who are already in this industry and at least some ideas for those who are intending to step into this industry.

In the other books, there are no exact assessment tool that help for last minute changes to the plan. In this book, it stated an assessment tool call GRABBSS. This is a useful tool in assisting last minute changes. By having goals (how this activity relate to the goals of the group), readiness (do the group have the relevant skills to do the activity), affect (are the students high or low on energy?), behavior (are the group being agreeable or disruptive?), body (the group are ready for such physically challenged activity?), setting (what are the physical conditions of the setting) and stage (which stage of group development is the group at?), we can know if this activity is the right choice.

This book is also special because this is the only book that states how a teacher should mange risks. This book clearly states how to manage the physical risk and emotional risks. It has diagram to even assist teachers to help them in visualizing and decide if the activity should be continues.

In conclusion, this book helps us in understanding the history, philosophy, key outcomes and about the GRABBSS which most of the books do not have. By having this book, it is definitely a great help for all the novice and advance teachers or instructor to be more sure of what they are doing and to give them a clearer guideline.