Breaking Out of the Box: Adventure-based Field Instruction

Breaking Out of the Box: Adventure-Based Field Instruction offers the unique opportunity for professors to use experiential, or adventure-based, learning activities to help students develop skills that are often overlooked in traditional reading and journal writing based field courses. Integrating these experiential activities as educational tools also emphasizes the importance and potential of methods of alternative learning. By asking students to participate in activities that may challenge their comfort zones, instructors create a situation in which higher risk can lead to greater trust between group members.

Kelly Ward is associate professor at Monmouth University. She received an MSW from Rutgers University and a Ph.D. from Fordham University. Her areas of interest include professional boundaries, program outcomes, addictions, and substance abuse populations. Her current research includes intergenerational substance abuse and other aspects of addiction. Professor Ward has been teaching graduate and undergraduate field seminars for ten years.

Robin Sakina Mama is associate professor at Monmouth University and chair of the Department of Social Work. She received an MSS and a Ph.D. from Bryn Mawr College. Her areas of interest include multicultural social work practice, occupational safety and health, women’s health, and human rights. Her current research includes Web-based instruction, advocacy and the United Nations, and cultural competency in field practice. Professor Mama was teacher of the year at Monmouth during the 1999–2000 academic year and has taught the field seminar course at Monmouth University since 1993.