What's new

Twenty-six students from 10th- and 12th-grade one-semester outdoor education programmes completed the Self-Authorship Questionnaire. Paired t tests showed gains in overall scores and in three of four dimensions: situational coping, interpersonal leadership and self-efficacy. No differences in overall scores were seen by gender within grade level or between grade levels. Students saw the instructor and the outdoor experiences as influences on their self-authorship.

Why it matters in Aotearoa

Secondary schools in Aotearoa that run extended outdoor education courses can draw on this as early evidence that such courses may support students' sense of identity and agency.

Putting it into practice

In a semester-long outdoor education course, build in tasks where students make and own decisions, and set aside time for them to reflect on how they coped and led.

How strong is the evidence

A small pre–post study of 26 students. The abstract does not describe a comparison group, so the gains cannot be firmly attributed to the programme.

What to read

The results and the section on programme features that students identified.

Who it's for