The evaluation of a training programme in facilitation for instructors of outdoor training interventions
Abstract
Organisations make use of outdoor experiential-based programmes to develop and improve
teamwork, leadership, problem solving, communication and trust. The client's experiences
during the activity need to be facilitated to ensure that the activity is not just another
recreation or fun activity. Facilitators need specific intrapersonal characteristics, interpersonal
skills and knowledge to be effective. Many facilitators and even their trainers who assume the
facilitation role are not fully prepared for it. Therefore, attention should be given to the
training of facilitators. However, a training programme in facilitation for student outdoors
leaders at tertiary education institutions has not been properly evaluated. The objective of this
research was to determine the effects of a training programme in facilitation for outdoor
leaders.
A two-group · design with pre- and post-testing was used to evaluate the effect of the training
programme in facilitation. Recreation students of the Potchefstroom University for Christian
Higher Education were used as the experimental group. Twenty six volunteers were
randomly selected and assigned to the experimental and control groups. The following
measuring instruments were used to evaluate the effect of the course: the Personal
Orientation questionnaire (for measurement of personality traits), Carkhuff scales (for
measurement of interpersonal skills, and the facilitation test (for measuring knowledge of
facilitation). Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the effects of the
training programme.
The results of the empirical study revealed that the knowledge and interpersonal skills
(empathy, genuineness, respect, concreteness) of the experimental group showed a significant
improvement after the training programme in facilitation. The training programme in
facilitation also contributed to the improvement of the experimental group 's listening skills.
The qualitative evaluation of the course indicated that the experimental group took
responsibility for themselves, acted more confidently and shared their feelings more openly.
In conclusion, recommendations for future research are offered.