ERIC Number: ED448323
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2000
Pages: 109
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: ISBN-0-7969-1947-X
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
An Investigation of the Enhanced Relationship between Participants in Lifeskills Courses and the Environment. Human Needs, Resources and the Environment Publication Series.
Rooth, Edna
The Lifeskills Project in South Africa provides services to communities in lifeskills facilitation training. Empowerment and capacity building in course and workshop participants is an underlying theme, with emphasis on self-concept enhancement for community enhancement. Aims of the Lifeskills Project include: (1) training facilitators in experiential learning techniques with lifeskills as content matter; (2) running lifeskills workshops on requested psycho-social lifeskills topics; (3) materials development; (4) provision of networking facilities; (5) consultation services on workshop implementation and design; and (6) conducting action research. The Lifeskills Project includes courses such as AIDS prevention, assertiveness, communication, conflict management, coping with change, leadership, health management, and team building. The project was evaluated through action research. Participant reflections were documented during workshops, and written evaluations were obtained after each workshop session, at course end, and in follow-up meetings. In addition, facilitator reflections were recorded. The research concluded that there are advantages of intervention grounded in experiential learning, and that participants in lifeskills courses developed enhanced self-perceptions and were more empowered. They were more likely to interact proactively with the environment as a result of attending a lifeskills course, and they exhibited less stress. The project also resulted in the design of a user-friendly workbook for future courses. (Contains 254 references.) (KC)
Descriptors: Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, Action Research, Adult Basic Education, Community Development, Conflict Resolution, Coping, Daily Living Skills, Empowerment, Experiential Learning, Foreign Countries, Health Promotion, Leadership, Material Development, Outcomes of Education, Program Effectiveness, Program Implementation, Self Actualization, Self Concept, Team Training
Human Sciences Research Council Publishers, Private Bag X41, Pretoria 0001, South Africa.
Publication Type: Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: Community; Researchers
Language: English
Sponsor: Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Pretoria (South Africa).
Authoring Institution: Human Sciences Research Council, Pretoria (South Africa).
Identifiers - Location: South Africa
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A