Teaching and Learning
Innovation 

In the courses that I teach, I try to provide an innovative learning opportunity for these tourism students, by referring to ‘Kolb’s Experiential Learning Theory’ where knowledge is created by transforming experience. In tourism courses, it is important for the students to experience and learn by doing, especially when tourism is mostly about experience and services.

 

Technically, experiential learning is “the process of learning through experience” and, more specifically, “learning through reflection on doing.” The process of experiential learning involves both self-initiative and self-assessment as well as hands-on activity, so students and teachers alike can benefit from experiential learning opportunities in the classroom.

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I will take one of my courses as an example in this case, which is International Tourism Development (HTM30204). This course aims to develop students’ understanding of international tourism and its development. It explores the principles, practices and philosophies that affect the economic, social, cultural and marketing aspects of the tourism industry. This is done by building upon prior knowledge of the structure, development and significance of international tourism in a variety of global, regional and national contexts. International tourism flow patterns, consequences of international tourism development and models of planning and development form the foundations for an extensive range of case study applications. The concepts of ecotourism, sustainable tourism and current areas of development/interest are explored, assessed and evaluated in various destinations.

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