Active Outdoor Living (AOL): Service Learning Meets Secondary Physical Education - School of Education St. Francis Xavier University

Active Outdoor Living (AOL): Service Learning
    Meets Secondary Physical Education

                                                 Amanda Stanec
                                                  Andrew Foran
                                                     Bo Mwebi

                                         School of Education
                                 St. Francis Xavier University

Two‐Fold Purpose of the Study
1. To evaluate Active Outdoor Living’s
   effectiveness as a service learning option for
   a secondary physical education methods
   course.

1. To evaluate Active Outdoor Living’s ability to
   promote moderate – vigorous physical
   activity and enjoyment for students in
   Grades 6 and 7.

Methodology
YEAR 1:
REB / Permission (School board, Administration, Parents/Guardians, Students)
Needs Assessment: Surveys to Grade 6 & 7 students
Program Implementation (12 weeks from January to March)
Data Collection (Surveys) and Data Analyses:
•    Grade 6 & 7 level of activity satisfaction
•    BEd pre‐service teachers’ level of program satisfaction

YEAR 2:
Program Implementation (12 weeks from January to March)
Data Collection (surveys and interviews) and Data Analyses:
• Interviews with 2 grade 6 & 7 students; 7 BEd pre‐service teachers
    – Lived experiences ‐ anecdote
    – Constant comparison between three researchers
    – Phenomenological analysis ‐ bracketing
    – Trustworthiness
• Activitygram (quantitative) information from grade 6 & 7 students

AOL: Junior High Needs Assessment
                  Please rank each each of the following activities.
1 = Very interesting; 2 = Interesting; 3 = Somewhat interesting; 4 = Not interesting

Results Year 1: AOL Student Interest
      Please rank each each of the following activities that you participated.

 1 = Very interesting; 2 = Interesting; 3 = Somewhat interesting; 4 = Not interesting

Results Year 1– BEd Pre‐Service Year Levels of
        Satisfaction with Service Learning Experience
STATEMENT TOPIC         Not at all   Somewhat   Well, Relevant /
                                     Relevant   Very well, Relevant

Satisfaction with SL            0%        36%          64%

Relevancy of SL to              0%         0%         100 %
your education
program
Skill development               0%        18%          81%
of SL to teaching
skills
Ability of SL to open           0%         9%          90%
students’ eyes to
meaningful lifelong
activity outdoors.

Lessons Learned from Year 1
•   Scheduling
•   Weather
•   Space
•   Clothing
•   Organization

Year 2 (Results To Date)
BEd Leaders (n = 21)   Student Participants (n = 25)

Interviews (n = 7)     Interviews (n = 2)

Anecdotes (n = 7)      Anecdotes (n = 2)

                       ActivityGRAMS® (n = 4)

Results Year 2 ~ BEd Leaders

Emerging Theme: Reflective in an effective manner

Daniel
  “I would probably arrive earlier, just to go check out the hill in
   advance…in case there’s any safety issues, concerns, too steep,
   water at the bottom, is it solid ground. …we just sort of showed
   up and looked at the hill which obviously…when I look back, we
                       shouldn’t have done.”

Results Year 2 ~ BEd Leaders

Emerging Theme: The non‐athlete was attracted
 to the program.

Paul:

“I think a lot of them, this was the first time they could show off.
    …They probably aren’t the most popular kids in class….so this
    was their chance to shine. I think a lot it was just that it was
      just such a small group that a lot of them could bring their
                        personalities out more.”

Results Year 2 ~ BEd Leaders
Emerging Theme: We feel good when they feel
 good.

Jenna:
   “Just…their energy! I don’t know, you feed off of it, and it
     just…when they smile it just brings you the satisfaction of
  yeah, I helped them feel this way. ..and feeling success...giving
    them the success as well, because, yeah…it makes you feel
                       good about yourself.

Results Year 2 ~ BEd Leaders
Emerging Theme: Recognize meaningful
 connections take time and develop based on
 trust and respect.

Kelly:
  “It was just go go go. The kids didn’t really stop and talk to
  me…they were active the whole time. If there had been more
       down time, then I think I could see more [meaningful
   connections]….Maybe because when I think of a meaningful
  connection, I think of a heart to heart, like getting a hug from
         the kids before I leave and that didn’t happen.”

Results Year 2 ~ BEd Leaders
Anecdote: Daniel
        Runny Noses and Red Cheeks

  “As I tried to look through all of the smiles and laughter, I
  realized that these wide‐mouthed smiles were not only that
    of the children but it was that of fellow teachers as well.
  Suddenly, my cold feet and red ears were no longer cold and
      the hours of lesson plans did not matter. What really
   mattered was that the effort put forth was truly rewarding.
   Runny noses, rosy cheeks, red ears, mixed with smiles and
    laughter is how I will remember this experience, not the
                    planning that was involved.”

Results Year 2 ~ Students
Emerging Theme: Students perceived peers to
 have fun and enjoy AOL.

Dana:

   “Yeah, I think so. I think a lot of people had fun with the
     geocaching ‘cause everybody was running around …and
              everyone was usually smiling, laughing,
               or trying to figure something out.”

Results Year 2 ~ Students
Emerging Theme: Students’ voice could be
 heard at AOL.

Jane

“Probably definitely the igloo building…it just like teamwork, and
   all the laughin’ and stuff. I dunno, I just like team work ‘cause
       I’m not usually in a group that I know much and to talk a
    lot….Like in school, not many people listen to my ideas…but,
             then again, I don’t really talk much in school.”

Results Year 2 ~ Students

Emerging Theme: AOL provided opportunity for
 students to be active outside who might not
 otherwise have it.

Jane:

 “I felt like really excited to go every day….It was really fun. I
  don’t really do major outdoor things with my friends ‘cause a
     lot of my friends don’t like playing outside and having fun
                           outside and stuff.”

Results Year 2 ~ Students
Anecdote: Dana
                   Geocaching Fun
 “It [Geocaching] was fun was because you saw all the other
 teams going to points and you were thinking I’ve already been
     there or I haven’t been there so I’m going to have to go.
   Another reason was because you were wondering who was
   behind you…even if we lost it was fun because we were all
   running…I think it was the most fun I’ve done in winter in a
   long time. I usually hibernate. Usually I eat, computer, TV,
    sleep and school. Although my lungs were burning so bad
         from running I had so much fun it was worth it.”

Discussion
• 25 adolescent students were active after school
  several days a week who reported they would not
  otherwise be active.
• Year 2 BEd pre‐service teachers reported an
  appreciation for the opportunity to link theory to
  practice.
• BEd professors might consider seeking funds through
  service learning to enrich course work and to
  promote social justice in our communities.

Limitations
• Small sample size
• One school
• BEd students only spent two sessions with
  students

Future Directions
• Expand AOL to additional seasons throughout
  the year
• Determine a way that BED students’ schedule
  compliments the AOL schedule
• Determine ways to include grade 10 & 11
  students as part of a peer mentorship thread

Thank you!
• StFX Service Learning
  McConnell Foundation

• Nova Scotia Health
  Promotion and
  Protection

• Participating Schools’
  Administration and their
  School Board