Encouraging Reflective Practices in Mountain Sports: developing a Reflection Tool for Alpine Adventure Education
Mueller, Mareike (2025)
2025
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025103026720
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025103026720
Tiivistelmä
In the confluence of alpine nature, mountain sports and reflective practices, experiences become more than just adventures. They offer the chance to reflect upon and see life from a different perspective. This thesis aims at presenting a holistic approach to mountain adventures. It explores how reflection embedded in an adventure educational process, deeply enrich alpine experiences.
This thesis was commissioned by the DAV Gipfelkreuz, an association within the German Alpine Club (DAV). The commissioner aims at fostering a holistic and communal approach to mountain sports.
The output of this development work is a comprehensive reflection guideline. This tool offers a way for educators and guides to utilise the fascination of the mountains by learning how to promote reflection in simple ways while outdoors.
The central means of research for this development work was the compilation and reviewing of relevant literature. The topic of Adventure Education, including reflection as a tool for the transfer of learning, the concepts of personal, social and spiritual growth as well as theories concerning mountaineering and the alpine environment, were examined and discussed. Further this development work used benchmarking and professional expertise, as ways of gathering information. Resulting from research, certain reflection principles, stages and dimensions became apparent and shaped the creation of the reflection guideline.
The results of research indicate that mountain sports function as a promising method to promote a holistic, adventure educational approach. And that further the pristine alpine environment serves as an organic setting to reflect, as life feels tangible and authentic here.
This thesis was commissioned by the DAV Gipfelkreuz, an association within the German Alpine Club (DAV). The commissioner aims at fostering a holistic and communal approach to mountain sports.
The output of this development work is a comprehensive reflection guideline. This tool offers a way for educators and guides to utilise the fascination of the mountains by learning how to promote reflection in simple ways while outdoors.
The central means of research for this development work was the compilation and reviewing of relevant literature. The topic of Adventure Education, including reflection as a tool for the transfer of learning, the concepts of personal, social and spiritual growth as well as theories concerning mountaineering and the alpine environment, were examined and discussed. Further this development work used benchmarking and professional expertise, as ways of gathering information. Resulting from research, certain reflection principles, stages and dimensions became apparent and shaped the creation of the reflection guideline.
The results of research indicate that mountain sports function as a promising method to promote a holistic, adventure educational approach. And that further the pristine alpine environment serves as an organic setting to reflect, as life feels tangible and authentic here.