Effect of the Trends on the Hospitality Industry - Essay Example

Using convenience sampling, 176 students from a public university were sampled though the university had more female than male students. The VARK survey used indicated that learning styles had an impact on the academic performance of hospitality students, choice of area of specialization, and the perceptions of the instructor and the course.
Possible outcomes of the trend

Stevens, Kitterlin, and Tanner (14) found out that students in hospitality prefer learning by doing. As such, academic institutions offering hospitality programs would use such findings to align their curricula in line with the preferred mode of learning among the students to remain competitive and relevant in the market. They could provide equipment and teaching aids that propagate practical learning. The theoretical component of learning could be minimized and practical learning be incorporated more including practical internships. Students could seek to enroll in institutions geared towards practical teaching to excel academically. Similarly, relevant authorities could seek to streamline the education system about hospitality and formulate rules and regulations promoting practical skills.

Effect of the trend on the industry

Aligning the teaching mode to the kinesthetic learning style of the students in hospitality would ensure that institutions offering hospitality programs produce practically equipped students ready for the market. These students would have gained much knowledge while learning because the mode of delivery would have been aligned with their understanding environment. More so, this adaptation would see more students enroll in hospitality programs and increase the number of successful completion of the courses being offered. The increase in the supply of students could see the cost of hospitality courses decrease.

This could trickle down to provide an abundant supply of human resources in hospitality.
On the other hand, there could be an increase in institutions offering hospitality courses to take advantage of the increased demand due to an increase in interest among prospective students. This could cause rogue institutions to come up which could eventually result in poorly equipped students. Furthermore, the influx in hospitality labor could eventually cause a lack of interest in the course as a high supply of labor, the lower the compensation package the market would be willing to offer. Stevens, Kitterlin, and Tanner (14) also note that kinesthetic learners tend to rush and pay less attention to detail. Therefore, in as much as institutions would adopt mechanisms to propagate practical learning, measures should be put in place to ensure that the quality of education does not get compromised.

My position
I agree with the findings of this research study. As a student, I have a preferred way of learning which if provided, then, learning becomes interesting and understanding increases. Instructors who provide such an environment have gained acceptance among their students which eventually causes improved academic performance. A practical approach, particularly in hospitality programs provides an opportunity to interact with real-life practice and therefore enhance learning. A lot of theoretical studies make little sense to students without practical application. Even with this knowledge, gender-sensitive studies should be conducted in other institutions to solidify the findings of this study.

Learning experience

With the vision of furthering my studies in hospitality, I would consider institutions that offer adequate practical activities in their hospitality programs if I am to excel academically. Stevens, Kitterlin, and Tanner (15) having proved that kinesthetic learners would always be in a rush without paying attention to details would be keen to ensure that I understand and insightfully revise what they have learned in class. Past examination papers would provide an appropriate tool to measure my understanding of details. Thereafter, in my career as an instructor, I would be keen on the learning styles of my students to effectively impart knowledge. For hospitality students, I will particularly be keen to incorporate adequate practical activities in and out of the classroom.

Future implications
This trend would vastly affect the hospitality industry as a whole. With the knowledge of the need for practical activities, students would look out for institutions offering appropriate practical skills to join. Such institutions would be critical in producing knowledgeable employees in hospitality. Read More