A case study on students learning experience of hospitality and tourism undergraduate courses conducted on block mode in a tertiary institute of Maldives / Aqisa Moosa

Abstract

The aim of this research is to identify the learning and social learning experience of the students enrolled in Tourism and Hospitality Management courses in block mode delivery at undergraduate level during the time of their study at tertiary institute. The motivation behind on researching this area aroused while teaching in these programs during 2016, as I have found it hard to convince myself the appropriateness of this delivery method.

To operationalize the study the research is designed in qualitative paradigm under which case study method is used. Convenient and snowball techniques are used to derive sample from population. Data was collected by interviewing participants. These data were processed by using thematic analysis.

To find the answers for research questions predetermined themes were taken from theoretical framework which were derived from literature review. The two aspects of the learning studied were, institutional factors that affected students learning experience and institutional factors that affected students social learning experience. Under learning experience, additional skills, teaching and learning and instructional mode were addressed. Under social learning experience; student engagement and involvement, extracurricular activities, relationships with peers, teachers and institute were covered. Additionally, students were asked about their opinion on block mode delivery and to provide their recommendations on improvement of block mode delivery.

The finding is supported with literature and the issue identified in problem statement has relation with results since it was found that both leaning and social experience are not desirable for the students under the block mode delivery practicing in tertiary institute for undergraduate students obtained tourism and hospitality relate degree courses.