College Students' Perceptions of the Desert Canyons of the Colorado Plateau

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298

College Students; Student Attitudes; Student Experience; Outdoor Education; Natural Resources; Parks; Photography; Beliefs; Values; Value Judgment

979-83-68466-69-9

This study investigates eight college students' perceptions of their experiences during an accredited outdoor education course entitled Technical Canyoneering. The course took place in four separate desert canyons of the Colorado Plateau, two in Arches National Park, and two on nearby Bureau of Land Management public space. Utilizing the data collection process of photo-elicitation, the participants' time spent in the canyon settings was described in order to gain an understanding of their experiences, with particular attention paid to analyzing what perceptions those students ascribed to those experiences. The intent was threefold. First, the study makes understanding at how college students perceive the wilderness environment of the course. Secondly, the study demonstrated the beliefs, values, and commitments that are fostered and/or furthered secondary to the students' perceptions of the place. Thirdly, the study attempted to explicate the value of the desert canyons of the Colorado Plateau and. more broadly, "wilderness" settings as educational venues. The qualitative methodology of educational criticism and connoisseurship guided the study. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]

As Provided

2023

ED631828