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<=> FROM THE EDITOR: Why 'Adventure Plus'?   You may appreciate a brief explanation of the term 'Adventure Plus' whether or not this is your first issue of 'SiteFinder':   1: It reduces confusion with another site called 'sitefinder'.   2: It makes the subject area reasonably clear, but still needs some explanation ... It is not about adventure for its own sake. 'Plus' indicates some larger educational or developmental purpose such as 'Learning Through Adventure'.   3: 'Adventure Plus' is not just about outdoor adventure because it is also very much about experienced-based approaches to learning and development. A bit of a mouthful, but all experiential learning should be an 'adventure' whether it happens indoors or outdoors.   4: No-one has yet come up with a neat and acceptable title to encompass this area of work (We have a jostling jungle of acronyms).   5: 'Adventure Plus' comes near the top of alphabetical listings.   During my 'sabbatical' from editing this newsletter, finding good 'adventure-plus' websites has become a whole lot easier because:   1: The range and quality of 'adventure-plus' sites is improving. 2: There are more specialist directories (or 'portal' sites) to help find these sites. (See the main site review below.) 3: Search engines are getting quicker and smarter. (See 'Googling for Outdoor Sites' in this issue.)   What is still missing? Quite a lot, but I believe there is still a need for SITE REVIEWS to guide surfers to the best sites. Some sites have been abandoned in stagnant backwaters (even my own site has been called ''So 1997!'' - but that was in 1999!). Other sites are charging ahead, some impressively flashy, while others have strong, interesting and useful content.   So ... SITE REVIEWS will continue to be a major feature of this newsletter - especially if a few subscribers (possibly you) point me in the right direction or (better still) write a sentence or two about an 'adventure-plus' site you like and send it to roger@reviewing.co.uk   <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <>   > 1 <  REVIEW: Outdoor Education Research & Evaluation Center   In a very short time, James Neill (with Michael Gass and Deborah Sugarman) has set up the best outdoor education research portal on the web at: http://www.wilderdom.com/research.html   The main features of this site are:   - on-line, full-text articles and theses (including access to on-line e-libraries for individual authors) - evaluation and research tools - list of people with areas of expertise and interests - links to conferences, other research sites, journals, etc. - information on how to conduct research and evaluation (including help with quantitative and qualitative research design, analysis, and report writing) - access to UNH's research & evaluation support services - links to, or hosting of, your research & evaluation material   What else could you want?!   James Neill has very quickly produced an index to just about everything researchers in this field may want to access via the web - from documents to discussion groups to the people who share a common interest in research and in using the web to stimulate more and better research.   It has taken some time for such a resource to appear in cyberspace. There have been notable individual efforts by a number of people who have gone the extra mile in making such information available. Christian Itin was (I think) the first to produce a portal site. Mikal Belicove runs a huge news and information site. Steve Bowles digs deep on his own research site, and Rick Curtis is gathering research together on his new site. Many professional association sites are also contributing to this growing web of outdoor research and researchers. There are also discussion groups based in the USA, UK and Australia that occasionally spring to life on issues in outdoor education research.   James Neill's site gives you easy access to all these other sites, as well as providing access to research conducted by James and other staff at the University of New Hampshire. But this is far more than an information portal. It is part of a campaign to encourage all researchers in this field to make better use of the web. For example, James points out that articles published on the web are more likely to be cited. And research has even demonstrated this!   There is still a long way to go in encouraging outdoor researchers to make full use of the internet and its various resources. As more people take an active part in this growing community of researchers, will small, new, alternative voices be welcomed or smothered? How can we bring a community together that speaks with so many different voices? James is helping to develop a living library for us - it is up to researchers to choose whether to stay on the research motorways or to take the byways into our own special adventures of curiosity and discovery.   James left a comprehensive summary of the research carried out by himself and his colleagues at Outward Bound Australia (see their website). He is active in many internet discussion groups and took a key role in the 'Scisco Conscientia' experiment - an online research journal and discussion group that gained much less support than it deserved (the archives are on James' site). We need more experimentation to discover what works online - while also working out what works well in the wilderness (or in our own particular outdoor play space). Thanks to James' continuing work for the outdoor research community, we have an opportunity to make some real progress on this difficult journey.   James has a simple and useful question page at the heart of this website. Not only does it help you to navigate this fast growing site, it also invites you to ask questions to James. If you do visit this site, say hello to James and show some appreciation, even if you do not have a question to ask. Perhaps a good research site should provoke more questions than it answers?   Every site should have its own search engine and its own newsletter. This site has both. You can subscribe to ''the Outdoor Education Research & Evaluation Center UPDATE announcement list'' by sending a blank email to: oeresearchupdate-subscribe@topica.com or learn more about it by visiting: http://www.topica.com/lists/oeresearchupdate or by going straight to: http://www.wilderdom.com/research.html   reviewed by Roger Greenaway   <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <>   > 2 < TRACKERS' TIPS: Googling for Outdoor Sites   Google provides the quickest results for most enquiries - even 'outdoor' ones!   To transform Google into a specialist search engine for your outdoor enquiries, simply start your enquiry with a few relevant words such as ''outdoor experiential education'' then add words to narrow down your enquiry e.g. ''UK'' or ''evaluation'' or ''research'' or ''jobs'' or ''therapy'' or ''special needs'' or ''teambuilding'' or ''management''. NB: Google only lists pages that include all your words *exactly* as they are typed.   Google will also search *within* any site you find. This is often much quicker and better than the search or navigation system on the site you are visiting. To search within any site using Google (if you use Internet Explorer), first download Google's free toolbar from http://toolbar.google.com and select 'Search Site'. Or (for example) you can enter   conference site:www.outdoor-learning.org   in the Google Search Box at http://www.google.com to find all pages with the word conference at www.outdoor-learning.org (the IOL UK site).   You can also use Google's advanced search page http://www.google.com/advanced_search for site search (and many other useful options).   The Google Directory http://directory.google.com is a good place to narrow your search. The problem is getting to know exactly where the editors have hidden the categories of most interest to you. I have found 'outdoor education' sites in many different categories including:    Business  Health  Kids and Teens  Philosophy of Education  Recreation  Reference  Science   You will find direct links to 14 useful subcategories at: http://reviewing.co.uk/outdoor/outindex.htm#google   These alternatives to Google have some very useful additional features such as grouping of results in categories or the listing of 'expert' sites:   Teoma http://www.teoma.com Wisenut http://www.wisenut.com   Also try these top-rated metasearch engines:   Ixquick http://www.ixquick.com Vivisimo http://vivisimo.com Queryserver http://www.queryserver.com Turbo10 http://turbo10.com   LOOKING FOR A SITE THAT HAS DISAPPEARED? Enter the address in the Wayback Machine at http://www.archive.org/ and you may find that the 'dead' link was only sleeping.   <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <>   > 3 < SITEOWNERS' TIPS: Definitely articles!   I am continually amazed by how little information some websites have. Here is a list of reasons why placing articles on your site is a bad idea:   1:   Sorry, I couldn't think of one.   The list of reasons for including articles is a little longer, starting with the higher visibility of your website in search engine results, through to informing visitors about ... whatever you want. Articles can be newsworthy. They can be written by people who have used your services. They can be historical - about how and why your service has developed over time. They can be about books or people who have inspired what you do. They can demonstrate your understanding of your clients' world. They can demonstrate the theory and research that supports the value of what you do.   If you don't like writing, ask a writer or journalist to interview you. Or ask someone else to write an article for you. If you really do have nothing to say beyond a list of brochure-style bullet points, you can always seek permission to publish a ready-made article on your website. If you would prefer to be original why not commission an article?   Here are just a few examples of 'Adventure-Plus' sites that are almost certainly benefiting from having articles on their sites:   An introduction to team building http://www.teamskillstraining.co.uk/articles/intro_teambuild.htm   What makes experiential learning so special? http://www.teamskillstraining.co.uk/articles/exp_learn.htm   Outdoor Development Training A mirror to observe and reflect on our behaviour http://www.terranovatraining.co.uk/odt.htm   Why Outdoor Adventure? http://www.generationyouthissues.fsnet.co.uk/ education/Outdoor%20Adventure.htm [copy and paste into one line]   Engagement: Increasing productivity by engaging your workforce http://www.terranovatraining.co.uk/engagement.htm More than 30 studies in the UK and USA since the early 1990s leave little room for doubt: how organisations manage and develop their people has a powerful - perhaps the most powerful - impact on overall performance, including the bottom line...   Strategies for improving mountain safety Dr. Bob Sharp, Leverhulme Trust http://www.strath.ac.uk/Departments/SportStudies/sportst/research (full research article)   Self-esteem: The costs and causes of low self-worth Professor Nicholas Emler, Joseph Rowntree Foundation http://www.jrf.org.uk/knowledge/findings/socialpolicy/n71.asp (5 page summary of this research review)   Websites that index outdoor education research articles: http://www.outdoored.com http://www.ael.org/eric/oed/ http://www.wilderdom.com/research.html   Experiential Learning articles + critiques of David Kolb's theory http://reviewing.co.uk/research/experiential.learning.htm   If you have decided to click on any of the above links, my point is well made. Articles attract visitors. And if they are well written they can turn visitors into clients. To ensure it's a good enough article, invite criticism from colleagues before publishing it to the world.   <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <>   > 4 <  NEW ENTRIES IN SITEFINDER DIRECTORY   Some excellent sites are finding there way into the directory. More will be reviewed in the next issue of this newsletter.   Please let others know about sites or internet resources you can recommend by writing to me at roger@reviewing.co.uk   <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <>   > 5 < SITE REVIEW: Adventures in Creativity   http://adventures-in-creativity.com   This site describes a refreshingly different way of journeying in the outdoors. The colourful mandala symbol on the home page probably says it all - if you can read pictures! The uniqueness of the approach described here is the blending of expressive arts and outdoor adventure. It is also a blending of inner and outer journeys, but it would be a mistake to assume that ''arts = inner'' or that ''outdoors = outer''.   The descriptions of the courses on offer show a whole variety of rich and natural connections between the traditions of creative arts and outdoor adventure. Paris and Iceland seem to be the perfect locations for these 'odysseys', but the secret for success is probably more to do with leaders having the right blend of experience and understanding of 'outdoor adventure' and 'art therapy'.   The site includes a succinct summary of ''What makes our adventure trips unique?'' plus links for further exploration of the mandala, expressive arts therapy and Iceland - where you visit the hole in the ground where Jules Verne's Journey to the Centre of the Earth began. Or you can stay in Paris and join an art therapy study group inspired by Clarissa Pinkola Estés' "Women Who Run With The Wolves".   http://adventures-in-creativity.com reviewed by Roger Greenaway   <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <>   > 6 < BOOK REVIEW: 'Beyond Adventure' by Colin Mortlock   ''There is something delightfully simple in a spontaneous decision to go into the outdoor environment and tackle some form of adventure.'' - Colin Mortlock   ''To be totally at peace within a storm, on the edge of one's life, where all your experiences and abilities are being taxed to their utmost, must be one of the ultimate experiences.'' - Colin Mortlock   In 'Beyond Adventure' Colin Mortlock reflects on a life of adventure: climbing, kayaking, offshore catamaran sailing, solo kayaking, solo wilderness walks and (more recently) identifying wild flowers.   Adventures and reflections are mixed in a proportion in a way that echoes the author's view that ''Quality action and quality reflection on that action are of fundamental equal importance''.   It is the story of an adventurer and educator who is fascinated by the occasions on which he has felt ''at one'' with nature. These were moments of awe, wonder or synchronicity when canoeing, sailing, climbing or walking.   I prefer Beyond Adventure (2001) to The Adventure Alternative (1984) because it is more autobiographical, more adventurous and more authentic. Colin Mortlock's style is sometimes awkward especially when he is struggling to interpret his "flow" experiences, but he does so in a plain language that makes his story accessible to all.   reviewed by Roger Greenaway   This and many other outdoor education and active learning books are reviewed at: http://reviewing.co.uk/reviews/index.htm   <><> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <>   > 7 < > <> REVIEWING SKILLS TRAINING <> <> <>   This newsletter is sponsored by Reviewing Skills Training.   THE NEXT OPEN WORKSHOPS are:   April 17th-18th, Ripley, England (see below) May 16th, Glasgow, Scotland November 28th-29th, Elspeet, Holland. Further details: roger@reviewing.co.uk   HOW TO TRANSFER LEARNING and give your training lasting impact This is an intensive trainer-training programme with Roger Greenaway, Reviewing Skills Training at Log Heights, Ripley Castle, North Yorkshire on Wednesday 17th April - Thursday 18th April, 2002   Topics include:   - how to help learners develop strong links between their course experiences and their everyday world. - how to organise reviews towards the end of a training course when there is 'too much' to review. - how to integrate appraisal, feedback, learning plans, action plans and evaluation into your programme. - how to review a lot in a short time - how to help learners test their plans - how to evaluate the training you provide - how to review your own experiences of facilitating reviews. - how to develop strategies for your own continuing professional development in reviewing skills.   Further details: http://reviewing.co.uk/logheights.htm Enquiries: jane@logheights.co.uk   If you are interested in attending or hosting a reviewing skills training event in your home town or country, please write to roger@reviewing.co.uk   <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <>   > 8 <  USEFUL PAGES AT REVIEWING.CO.UK   The Outdoor Index and Outdoor Tour http://reviewing.co.uk/outdoor/outindex.htm   Adventure Activities Portals A-Z http://reviewing.co.uk/outdoors/links.htm   Outdoor research on the web A~Z http://reviewing.co.uk/research/links.htm   SiteFinder Directory http://reviewing.co.uk/sitefinder/index.htm   SiteFinder Ezine Archives http://reviewing.co.uk/archives/index.htm   Index to Frequently Asked Questions http://reviewing.co.uk/where/index.htm   Active Learning Books and Reviews http://reviewing.co.uk/reviews/index.htm   <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <>   > 9 < FUTURE ISSUES OF SITEFINDER   With your help SiteFinder Ezine will be packed with lots of brilliant site REVIEWS about lots of brilliant SITES about lots of interesting DEVELOPMENTS in adventure education and experiential learning.   I am always looking for sites that deserve AWARDS.   Any suggestions?   <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <>   > 10 < ABOUT SITEFINDER EZINE   THE EDITOR: Dr. Roger Greenaway, Reviewing Skills Training 9 Drummond Place Lane STIRLING Scotland UK FK8 2JF Feedback, recommendations, questions: roger@reviewing.co.uk   SUBSCRIBE: sitefinder-subscribe@topica.com UNSUBSCRIBE: sitefinder-unsubscribe@topica.com ARCHIVES: http://reviewing.co.uk/archives/index.htm   SiteFinder Directory: http://reviewing.co.uk/sitefinder/index.htm   <> THE OTHER NEWSLETTER: ACTIVE REVIEWING TIPS   Energise your facilitation + reviewing at http://reviewing.co.uk For free monthly tips, links + reviews, send any email to: reviewing-subscribe@topica.com Active Reviewing Tips Ezine   '' Great ezine: succinct, easy to read and rich with ideas.''   The Active Reviewing Guide: http://reviewing.co.uk 'One of the best training sites I've ever seen'  Training Journal   >!!< DISCLAIMER   The links and addresses are being provided as a service by Reviewing Skills Training. Reviewing Skills Training neither has nor assumes any responsibility or liability, either express or implied, for any such links or the accuracy or completeness of any information or service provided by any web site company or individual to which this ezine is linked. The use of the links provided by this ezine is on an "as is" basis and at the user's sole risk. However, please contact Reviewing Skills Training if you have any comments (plus or minus) about any of the free advice, links or jokes that you have found here.

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