Parce, Lisa (2022) Beyond the And/Or divide | Exploring the potential for experiential learning during horsehuman interactions. PhD thesis, National University of Ireland Maynooth.
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Abstract
The research examined horse-human interactions to discover what impact, if any,
these experiences had on participants’ learning within and beyond the horse world. From
decades of diverse experiences in education, I became concerned about the rise in
disengagement. Learners who weren’t given sufficient opportunities to use their wholeselves
became disjointed and lost enjoyment in the learning process. Likewise, disconnects
occurred when classroom learning wasn’t linked to real life. The separation of the wholeperson
- mind, body, and emotions - in the learning process appeared to parallel societal
misperceptions that academic learning with its emphasis on mental knowledge production,
was more or less than practical, hands-on knowledge and skill development. To examine
these educational concerns and polarities, I looked to where I find joy in learning – horsehuman
interactions.
This study is intended for adult learners and educators who are interested in quality
experiential learning situations. Dewey, among others like Freire, have suggested quality
learning happens through educative experiences which include continuity and integration
between learners and what and where learning occurs. The study was framed by an analysis
of continuity, integration, and aesthetics which became a united foundation for whole-body,
experiential learning.
Research was conducted using qualitative, interpretive methodologies based on
pragmatic and social constructivist principles. Biographical and visual methods were used to
bring in the aesthetic, aimed to help readers and participants connect on a deeper level with
the topic. Data were a collection of field notes. Primary data comprised of transcripts and
summaries from interviews with twenty-four equestrians. Secondary data included embodied
participation in the study, and biographical field notes which were written and auditory
reflections from observations of horse-human interactions and learning-teaching
experiences. An interpretation of results sought to honour participants’ experiences and led
to an organisation of emergent themes into five central findings, uncovered through an
inductive, researcher-created coding system.
Conceptual/thematic findings suggested equestrians were regularly engaged in
experiential learning which happened through their interactions with horses. They used their
whole selves to draw on prior experiences and applied them to real challenges in the
present. Collectively, these experiences prepared them to handle future situations. These
educative experiences were relational, social, ecological, and held genuine interest.
This study gave whole-body experiential learning attention. Examining experiential
learning through horse-human interactions may help readers consider how to incorporate
similar whole-body learning experiences in their learning-teaching practices. Better
understanding of how learning is impacted because of the continuously integrated
interactions between horses and humans deserves consideration because of its potential for
developing and maintaining human growth. Horse-human interactions involve, among other
things, movement, learning, and nature which, together, have proven to facilitate cognitive,
physical, and emotional development. This study sought to contribute to experiential learning
theory by moving beyond divisions of mind And/Or body towards a unified and meaningful
learning approach through the unique insights of the dynamic interactions between humans
and horses. A wider practice of respectful, interspecies interactions can encourage more
opportunities to learn from others species and nature. This learning can promote individual
responsibility, empathy for others, and actions which help us recognise and act to sustain
the vital health of our natural world.
Item Type: | Thesis (PhD) |
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Keywords: | Exploring; potential; experiential learning; horsehuman interactions; |
Academic Unit: | Faculty of Social Sciences > Adult and Community Education |
Item ID: | 17573 |
Depositing User: | IR eTheses |
Date Deposited: | 19 Sep 2023 14:41 |
URI: | https://mu.eprints-hosting.org/id/eprint/17573 |
Use Licence: | This item is available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Licence (CC BY-NC-SA). Details of this licence are available here |
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