The Development, Analysis, and Evaluation of Student Knowledge Retention of Leave No Trace (LNT) Principles Taught in an Outdoor Education Course at an Environmentally-Oriented Semester Boarding High School
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Date
2011-05Author
Nemec, Jeff
Publisher
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, College of Natural Resources
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Show full item recordAbstract
The purpose of the project was to develop, analyze, and evaluate student
knowledge retention of Leave No Trace (LNT) principles taught in an outdoor education
course at an environmentally-oriented semester boarding high school. An initial self-reported
survey and a pre-assessment established a baseline for knowledge levels. After
receiving instruction on proper low-impact behavior and practices, students completed
a post-assessment to determine increases or decreases in their level of LNT knowledge.
Scores increased 9% overall. After having difficulty with questions pertaining to more
complicated LNT principles, students showed improvements in the post-assessment
results. This could be attributed to instructional efforts focused on the challenging
principles. However, increased LNT knowledge doesn’t necessarily equate to adherence.
Greater review of assessing and upholding LNT followership should continue in outdoor
instruction and recreation opportunities at the school.