Masters Thesis

Enhancing Instruction in Wilderness Medicine with Computer-Mediated Communication

ABSTRACT ENHANCING INSTRUCTION IN WILDERNESS MEDICINE WITH COMPUTER-MEDIATED COMMUNICATION by David B. Conlan Master of Science in Instructional Design and Technology California State University, Chico Summer 2009 The purpose of this study was to explore areas of instruction within Outdoor Education that may be best suited for computer-mediated communication. This paper focused specifically on wilderness medicine, a discipline within Outdoor Education, and the areas of curriculum that may benefit the learner in an e-learning computer-mediated environment. For the study, Kolb’s Experiential Learning Model and the constructivist learning model were used as theoretical frameworks. Data was collected by a mixed methods approach utilizing a written questionnaire and a focus group follow-up interview. The written questionnaire was administered via mail and consisted of three parts that collected information from the participants necessary to support the research. Nineteen professionals in the field of Outdoor Education and Wilderness Medicine were contacted and only ten of the 19 responded. The researcher was only able to coordinate a focus group interview with three of the ten. The results of the study brought forth several interesting correlations between the world of computer-mediated communication and the constructivist learning model and wilderness medicine and the experiential learning model. The results yielded several areas of curriculum within wilderness medicine, selected by participants that would best work in a computer-mediated environment. These represent the initial steps towards creating a computer-mediated learning environment for students in a wilderness medicine course.

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