Description

Blended learning in higher education is defined as learning that is facilitated by effective combination of different modes of delivery, models of teaching and styles of learning, and with transparent communication amongst all parties involved on a course (Henize & Procter, 2004). Undoubtedly, enhancing students’ interest in learning theoretical courses is always one of the issues of teachers in planning their lessons. In the light of this, a blended learning teaching mode is recommended helping students’ understanding of the course matter, stimulate their interest to participate in different in-class activities, and realize their studies by using virtual environment.

Intended Educational Value

Apart from the traditional lecture sessions, a variety of interactive teaching activities will be adopted, for instance, games (for ice-breaking and team co-operation); brainstorming, small group discussion, and case study (to stimulate students’ thinking on analyzing and resolving current or past problematic hospitality situation); role-play and simulation (to provide a non-threatening opportunity for students to explore, experiment, take risks, communicate, examine their basic knowledge before the lessons, and reflect what they learnt in previous lessons). The above activities can actively involve the students in a concrete experience in order to help them to acquire better understanding of and retain the new knowledge for a longer time. As stated by the ancient Chinese philosopher, Confucius, “tell me and I will forget, show me and I may remember, involve me and I will understand.”

Hotel integration is the principal component in the proposed blended learning approach, as PolyU Teaching Hotel will be completed in 2010 that provides a good opportunity to students to apply the learning theories in real life examples and realize their studies with practices. Through the group projects, students are required to communicate with the Human Resources Team of Hotel ICON to finish the assigned tasks that are related to the human resources functions, for example, design different tools to evaluate and increase Hotel employees’ satisfaction, propose practical tools for appraising employee’s performance, recommend feasible and innovative recruitment schemes and selection tests, participate in planning and organizing different hotel activities (e.g. Career Day at PolyU, annual staff party, etc).

Blended learning is combined of e-learning and face to face learning, for that reason, a new dimension - virtual world will be added to the class. It is proposed to establish a virtual tower that consists of different rooms; students will be worked in teams to examine and experience human resources issues in those rooms. Before a specific lecture, students have to complete assigned tasks, such as simulation of conducting interview and employee performance appraisal under the customized scenarios designed by making use of the second life platform, and then the lecturer will go through and discuss the results of the pre-class tasks during lesson. It is believed this e-learning activity will deepen students’ understanding of the theoretical concepts.

Example of Application

An update syllabus is formed for suiting with the present education development - teaching integrates technology into the normal face-to-face teaching

Customized scenarios under various Human Resources functions are designed by making use of the existing second life platform to stimulate students learning interest and provide a riskless environment for practice in ways that not possible in real life

After completed the group project, students acquired knowledge through experiential learning that have reflection on doing, for example, participate in planning and organizing hotel activities, create some innovative and practical solutions/suggestions for human resources operation

Evaluation/ Comments

The planned blended learning teaching approach was piloted at the end of the first semester in 2010. Student’s feedback was collected and analyzed. The approach was revised based on the findings and suggestions. The revised approach was implemented in the next semester and student’s feedback was collected and analyzed.

Key Findings:

• In general, students welcomed the blended learning approach.
• Most students agreed that the tutorials were interactive.
• Most students commented that navigation in the Second Life application was not user friendly.
• Students found it useful if the system can give instant feedback or model answers.
• Students prefer other platforms, such as WebCT and Blackboard.
• Effective learning requires engaging the learners in authentic problems.
• Group project with hotel integration was positively perceived by students as the integration element, not only provided students authentic learning experiences, but also, give them pride through ownership of ideas that will value by Hotel ICON.