UPSI Digital Repository (UDRep)
|
UPSI Digital Repository (UDRep)
|
|
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abstract : Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris |
| The National Service Training Programme better known as Program Latihan Khidmat Negara (PLKN) was
launched by the government on the 16th of February 2004 to foster national unity and integration.
However, since its inception, no specific empirical study has been conducted on the physical
activity module (adventure-based activity) to measure the effectiveness of the programme in
improving the process of national unity and integration. Therefore, the present research attempts
to measure the effectiveness of physical activity module of the programme which consists of the
adventure-based activity curriculum and to study the effects of outdoor activities on team cohesion
among the participants of the programme at three camps namely, Tasik Meranti Camp, Tasoh Camp and
Guar Chenderai Camp in the state of Perlis, Malaysia. Pre and post-test were conducted in order to
investigate the effects of adventure-based activity towards cohesiveness among participants in
groups at the camps. The study also explores the influence of socio-demographic variables (age,
gender and place of residence), physical activities as well as interpersonal relationships among
the participants towards improving team IV
cohesion. Herein, respondents comprised of a total of 994 participants. A modified Group
Environment Questionnaire (GEQ) was used to collect the required data which was administered during
the pre and post-test at the respective camps. The GEQ measured four different dimensions: (1)
Group Integration-Task (GI-T), (2) Group Integration-Social (GI-S), (3) Individual Attractions to
the Group-Task (ATG T) and (4) Individual Attraction to the Group-Social (ATG-S). Among the four
sub scales, Individual Attractions to the Group-Task (ATG-T) was found to be most significant
while Group Integration-Task (GI-T) sub-scale were found to be not significantly different between
the pre and post-test. Nevertheless, after the physical activity curriculum at the camps was
accomplished, team cohesion was successfully developed in all sub-scales investigated. The data
collected was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). The statistical
analysis of GEQ on the pre and post-test proved that team cohesion among the participants was
achieved and significantly different during pre and post-test. Concisely, it can be concluded that
the physical activity module (adventure-based activity) had increased the level of participants'
group cohesiveness and resulted in positive group binding. Participants showed shared vision and
unity of purpose, developed complementary roles and synergistic teamwork, displayed strong
internal leadership and effective communication. Overall, the present study found that physical
module (adventure based activity) in the National Service Training Programme (PLKN) was effective
in developing cohesion and integration among participants. The study also indicated that there was
a positive correlation between the Group Development Component
and the Theory of Group Development as propounded by Tuckman (1965).
|
| This material may be protected under Copyright Act which governs the making of photocopies or reproductions of copyrighted materials. You may use the digitized material for private study, scholarship, or research. |