Symphony in D minor by Cesar Franck : a historical and critical analysis

Abstract

This research comes from a genuine need to address how outdoor education, a form of experiential learning, is utilized within youth work. This is significant in the light of recent changes in the way outdoor education is approached in other countries. Current studies indicate a shift away from the external product of outdoor activities, towards the inner processes more formally accepted as being a part of centre-based youth work. This research sets out to identify links within the local Maltese context of the inner process and the external product. This study utilizes questionnaires, interviews and research instruments to identify common methodologies and perceptions of character-building, environmental education, challenge, risk, and personal and social education with supporting triangulation data. These themes that occur in current outdoor education literature, are developed as indicators of a coherent praxis of product and process. Results support the notion that some Maltese youth workers rely on product at the expense of the developmental inner processes. Perceptions of risk and risk assessment compete with professional training as realistic barriers and conduits to outdoor work with young people within the local context. The findings are then used to generate discussion and recommendations to target specific support and needs.