Experiences in learning in adventure sport and school
Johann Arnegard
This presentation discusses the educational significance of ‘flow’ and other experiential qualities found within adventure sports and their relationship to school.
An embodied capacity to master adventure sports is a result of a long learning process. In questionnaires and interviews participants describe a great feeling of enjoyment, a sensation of being totally focused and in control of the situation – a flow experience. The deep sense of presence and place, the physical involvement, the fact that they can chose the path and increase the degree of difficulty themselves – and simultaneously counter this new challenge with increased capacity so that they are engaged at the ‘right level’ – provide favourable conditions for a stimulating and successful learning experience in itself.
With knowledge about adventure sports participants’ experiences, it is extremely interesting to seek answers as to whether pupils can have similar experiences in situations and learning environments in today’s schools. An investigation following school pupils shows that I is primarily in the practical and aesthetic subjects that meaningful and pleasurable holistic experiences are seen similar to those found among adventure sports participants. The results are analsysed and discussed from both a phenomenological and a cultural sociological perspective.
Sweden
Tel: +46 8 7375647
Email: johan.arnegard@utep.su.se
