Outbound Training
Outbound Training
What is Outbound Training?
Outbound Training builds upon the concept of experiential learning i.e. adults learn most effectively through experiencing the concepts. Outbound training is a powerful combination of thought-provoking activities that are conducted in a natural setting. The end result is enhanced learning and retention.
The success of outbound training can be attributed to the fact that it uses adult learning principles. Outbound training companies focus on Andragogy (adult learning) which emphasizes the value of the process of learning. It uses approaches to learning that are interactive, problem-based and collaborative rather than moralistic. It also accentuates more equivalence between the trainer and the participants. This science originated in Europe in 1950s and Malcolm Knowles, an American practitioner of adult education, promoted it in the 1970s. Knowles defined andragogy as "the art and science of helping adults learn". (Zmeyov 1998; Fidishun 2000).
What do you mean by 'adult learning principles'?
Knowles identified the six principles of adult learning:
- Adults are self-directed and motivated
- Adults bring life experiences and knowledge to learning experiences
- Adults are purpose oriented
- Adults look for relevance
- Adults are logical and practical
- Adults like to be respected
Outbound Training was developed by Dr. Kurt Hahn and was first tested in the turbulent waters of the North Sea during World War II, to provide young sailors with the experiences and skills necessary to survive at sea. Dr. Kurt Hahn, Founder of Outward Bound methodology, a philosopher outdoorsman believed that the outdoors provides a robust learning ground for city professionals. In Dr. Hahn’s opinion there are 3 important benefits are of corporate team building events – first, compassion which helps in building interpersonal relationships, trust and bonding; the second, innovative and creative thinking; and the third, collective intelligence.
"The experience of helping a fellow man in danger, or even of teaching in a realistic manner to be ready to give this help, tends to change the balance of power in a youth’s inner life with the result that compassion can become the master motive." – Dr. Kurt Hahn
The crux of OBT lies in taking a group of people to an unfamiliar environment in which they are given a set of challenges that they will have to solve with limited resources. The most important resource that they have is their group members in these outbound training programs. The core principle outdoor adventure training is that when a team is thrown together in unfamiliar settings, where they are interdependent on each other for survival, growth in the development of the team happens at a much faster pace.