Which social emotional competencies are enhanced at a social emotional learning camp?

Abstract

Research studies have shown that educational programmes such as camps and field trips can develop affective and social relationships through personal exposure to outdoor experiences among students. This study will illustrate the outcome of a social emotional learning camp organized for 93 Secondary Two students (mean age 14.1) in Singapore. Both quantitative and qualitative methods were carried out during camp to assess students’ social emotional competencies (SECs) such as their self-awareness, social awareness, self-management and relationship management and responsible decision-making. Students were found to have improved in all SECs from the pre–post test questionnaire. From their camp activities and their reflections, students were found to have greater self-awareness, relationship management and self-management skills. However, teachers’ observations showed that students scored lowest in relationship management skills. Students’ self-awareness, social awareness, self-management and relationship management were found to be predictive of responsible decision-making, with 71% of the variance explained. The implications of the findings will be discussed to assist schools in enhancing students’ SECs.

Keywords:

• Social emotional learning
• Self-awareness
• Social awareness
• Self-management
• Relationship management

Acknowledgements

This research was supported by the Centre for Research in Pedagogy and Practice under a Singapore Ministry of Education research grant. Any opinions, findings and conclusions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not reflect the views of the Centre for Research in Pedagogy and Practice or the Singapore Ministry of Education.

Notes

1. The students’ quotes have been deliberately left unedited.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Jessie Ee

Jessie Ee is an Associate Professor in the Psychological Studies Academic Group at the National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University in Singapore.

Chew Wei Ong

Chew Wei Ong was a research assistant in the National Institute of Education, Singapore. She worked with Jessie Ee on a research project on social emotional learning.