Virtual Field Trips (VFTs) of hospitality businesses are providing tourism and hotel management students an alternate pedagogical approach by blending theory and practice (e.g. designs and layout principles, and operational and management practice) into rich information, promoting flexible access, and offering an authentic learning experience. As additional hospitality businesses are introduced to the VFT suite, students will have greater opportunity to compare and contrast important aspects of food and beverage management.

Key goals accomplished at the first year mark of the two years project

  • Captured 360° panorama and standard images, operational information and videos of food and beverage operations as well as interviews with senior managers of seven luxury hotels, four fine independent restaurants, and the sustainability case study supported by EarthCheck. Edited and scripted images and edited interviews footage. Griffith University’s Learning Futures (team of multimedia and educational designers) are constructing an interactive VFT Tool. On target for completion end of July 2016.
  • Developed a comprehensive evaluation instrument to assess the VFT’s effectiveness and students’ learning experience.
  • Piloted the evaluation instrument (pre-test and post-test surveys) across partner institutions.
  • The following papers are accepted or under review from data collected from earlier basic version of Virtual Field Trips.
  • Patiar, A., Ma, E., Kensbock, S. & Cox, R. (Accepted 2016). Hospitality Management Students’ Expectation and Perception of a Virtual Field Trip Website: An Australian Case Study Using Importance-Performance Analysis. Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Education
  • Patiar, A., Kensbock, S. Ma, E., & Cox, R. (Accepted 2016). Information and Communication Technology Enabled Innovation: Application of Virtual Field Trip in Hospitality Education. Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Education
  • Patiar, A., Ma, E., Kensbock, S. & Cox, R. (Under Review). Technology Inspired Learning: Evidence of Hotel Management Education.
 Associate Professor Anoop Patiar, Dr. Emily Ma, Dr. Sandie Kensbock, & Mr. Russell Cox (GU); Associate Professor Pierre Benckendorff & Dr. Richard Robinson (UQ); Professor Hugh Wilkins (ECU); & Associate Professor Scott Richardson (BMIHMS)