Item: LIFE-LONG LEARNING FOR SAFE MOUNTAIN FUN: TRANSFORMING BACK-COUNTRY SKIERS' PRACTICES THROUGH STIMULATING DOUBLE-LOOP LEARNING AT AVALANCHE COURSES
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Title: LIFE-LONG LEARNING FOR SAFE MOUNTAIN FUN: TRANSFORMING BACK-COUNTRY SKIERS' PRACTICES THROUGH STIMULATING DOUBLE-LOOP LEARNING AT AVALANCHE COURSES
Proceedings: International Snow Science Workshop Proceedings 2023, Bend, Oregon
Authors:
- Tim Dassler [ CARE – Center for Avalanche Research and Education, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Psychology, Tromsø, Norway ]
- Tove I. Dahl [ CARE – Center for Avalanche Research and Education, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Psychology, Tromsø, Norway ]
- Tarjei T. Skille [ CARE – Center for Avalanche Research and Education, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Psychology, Tromsø, Norway ]
- Gerit Pfuhl [ CARE – Center for Avalanche Research and Education, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Psychology, Tromsø, Norway ]
- Richard Fjellaksel [ CARE – Center for Avalanche Research and Education, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Psychology, Tromsø, Norway ] [ UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Health and Care Sciences, Tromsø, Norway ]
Date: 2023-10-08
Abstract: When skiing in avalanche terrain in the backcountry, bliss and happiness are always close to potential injury and even death. Safety in the snowy mountains therefore requires knowledge about avalanche danger. Avalanche education is a means to help people learn how to safely manage those dangers. We here argue that reflective double-loop learning is key for facilitating efficient and long-lasting learning. When dealing with an important problem to be solved, double-loop learning distinguishes itself from single-loop learning by including a feedback loop for reconsidering and changing one's preconceptions or mental model around the problem. Double-loop learning is triggered by dislocatory moments. These occur when one becomes aware of discrepancies between one's established practice and alternate practices, views, identities, or guiding values. Deep learning occurs through thoughtful reflection on such moments. When reflection is invited in a structured way, double-loop learning can also stimulate more lasting interest in learning beyond any single avalanche course that is necessarily limited in time, space, current conditions, and the characteristics of the learning group itself. In our innovative avalanche course, participants' learning was monitored throughout an entire ski season (11 days of praxis), using reflective practice to foster lifelong learning for safe mountain fun. Participants were co-designers, with their experiences and reflections forming course content. Feedback, self-assessments, observations, interviews, and skill surveys were used to adjust learning processes, evaluate progress towards course objectives, and assess overall course efficacy. We will present this novel approach to studying avalanche education and our findings.
Object ID: ISSW2023_O12.02.pdf
Language of Article: English
Presenter(s): Tim Dassler
Keywords: avalanche education, double-loop learning, wicked learning environment, backcountry skiing, reflective learning
Page Number(s): 1120 - 1127
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