This presentation examines evidence-based strategies applied in hospitality and tourism education. Our findings are depicted by learning theory and level of evaluation. Benefits, limitations, and future opportunities will be discussed. Our analytical approach can be extrapolated to other academic disciplines to inform blended/online instruction and learning.
The digitalization phenomena have recently awakened a spate of interest in how to effectively prepare the future hospitality and tourism (H&T) workforce. The demand of the current labor market that is constantly adapting to technological advancements necessitates new training approaches that provide accessible, relevant, and cost-effective skills development programs (MIT, 2020). The current technology-infused era also requires workers to have portable skills (cognitive and non-cognitive) as well as work-related skills supported by instructional models featuring hands-on learning (MIT, 2020). In addition, robotization, automation, and demographic shifts are also bringing pressure to the formation and training of H&T workers, which requires instructional methods that prepare them to interact with virtual machines and adapt to their individual needs and learning preferences (PWC, 2017). In the same vein, the UNWTO (2019) encourages universities to design content and instructional methods which are responsive to the H&T labor market needs, consider the evolution of work, leverage digital tools, enhance soft-skill and technological competencies, and facilitate life-long learning and work transitions. This is also supported by the OECD (2021) that underlines the need for formal school systems to adapt existing and future educational programs to the training needs of the tourism industry towards the digital future. Therefore, it is necessary to know, in the educational context, to what extent digital, high-order, and interpersonal skills have been taught, what teaching methods have been used, and the outcomes of such teaching methods. In short, it is timely to explore to what extent H&T education research has been congruent with the demand of the current labor market.
Our presentation reviews the current state of the literature regarding instructional methods, theories, and tactics in hospitality and tourism education. Results of the literature search indicated the preeminence of experiential learning (i.e., learning by doing) and a strong focus on skills-based education. It was found that few studies examined knowledge retention and attitude development in H&T education. As knowledge of and attitudes towards sustainability and digital literacy are key aspects in the modern H&T workforce, there is a need for more research on instructional methods aimed at developing analytical, digital, and more complex intellectual skills. We found a lack of teaching methods grounded in theories and tactics from cognitive, behavioral, humanistic, or neurobiological perspectives. The diversification of learning theories can increase the efficacy of H&T education towards developing a well-rounded T&H education.
Our presentation contributes constructively by examining how theories of human learning and educational technology have informed current H&T instructional practice. It permits T&H faculty, educators, academicians, and instructional designers to recognize the applied instructional methods in online and blended modalities and their various affordances, challenges, and learning outcomes to inform their pedagogies. The noted effectiveness or lack thereof of the various instructional strategies can be used to inform educational management to define policy, procedures, and logistics needed to support teaching and learning by considering professional competencies relevant to the T&H labor market.
After attending this presentation, you will:
- Identify key studies that have examined teaching approaches in T&H education (e.g., transformative learning, problem-based learning, entrepreneurship education, employability skills development).
- Differentiate the concepts of learning theories, instructional strategies, and instructional tactics.
- Understand how learning theories and related instructional strategies (macro-strategies) have informed teaching in T&H educational settings.
- Understand how a training evaluation model can be used to examine the impacts of different types of instruction reported in the research and in the context of specific academic fields.
- Identify a panoply of online and blended learning tactics (micro-strategies) that have been documented in the literature to facilitate H&T education, as well as their benefits and challenges. Such tactics include virtual field experiences, photo essays, event-planning simulations, formative learning journals, wiki-based reports, cooperative publishing, e-learning game scenarios, online-based role play, and culinary tutorials.
- Identify what knowledge, skills, and attitudes have been enhanced by the resulting instructional strategies/tactics as reflected in the H&T education literature.
- Discuss how T&H instruction is contributing to the preparation of students for the existing labor market and the future of work.
We will leverage different strategies to promote attendees’ engagement. A visually-enriched presentation will depict findings while asking participants to provide feedback and share their insights. We will also leverage Q&A opportunities and live polls to engage the audience and use group reflection to improve retention and transfer.
References
MIT (2020). The Work of the Future: Building Better Jobs in an Age of Intelligent Machine. Available at: https://workofthefuture.mit.edu/research-post/the-work-of-the-future-building-better-jobs-in-an-age-of-intelligent-machines/
OECD (2021), "Preparing the tourism workforce for the digital future", OECD Tourism Papers, No. 2021/02, OECD Publishing, Paris, https://doi.org/10.1787/9258d999-en.
PWC (2017). The way we work – in 2021 and beyond. Available at: https://www.pwc.com/gx/en/industries/financial-services/publications/productivity-agenda.html
UNWTO (2019). The Future of Work and skills Development in Tourism – Policy Paper. Available at: https://www.e-unwto.org/doi/book/10.18111/9789284421213