TOU9164M Field Course Reflective Journal Of Transportation System In Albania

Introduction 

Stepping outside our normal day-to-day environment enables us to explore new perspectives, unlocks creativity, and allows us to reflect on and appreciate the value of the profession. The ‘Field Course’ module aims at providing students with the opportunity to examine tourism-related issues by having hands-on experience in usually an overseas selected destination (e.g., Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Romania, Malta, Italy, etc.). Thus, students will be able to observe tourism development, and tourist-host relationships and interact with various stakeholders.  

The fundamental learning opportunity from the Field Trip is to engage in meaningful and practical discussions with the host community, tourism representatives, tutors, and peers;  and to start evaluating and exploring career options.  

The module spans a week at least and is usually organized in Term B. Costs for transport, accommodation, and meals are funded by the University.  

Learning Outcomes

On completion of the module you should be able to: 

LO1 Evaluate the tourism implementation and development policies in the host  destination, with particular reference to the competitive growth of the destination framework; 

LO2 Critically examining the tourism development process with a focus on the host  community engagement; 

LO3 Examine, assess, and challenge theories of sustainability and ethics in the  production and consumption of tourism; 

LO4 Analyse key tourism issues in different cultures and societies (with a focus on the chosen destination). 

Transferable Skills 

In addition to the specific learning outcomes detailed above, the module also facilitates the development of several transferable skills; these are skills that will contribute to your own personal development as a ‘scholar’, but also in the world of work. These can be identified  as:

• Problem-solving and critical analysis: analyzing facts and circumstances to determine the cause of a problem and identifying and selecting appropriate solutions. 
• Commercial acumen: based on an awareness of the key drivers for business success, causes of failure, and the importance of providing customer satisfaction and building customer loyalty. 
• Articulating and effectively explaining information. 
• Self-reflection: self-analysis and an awareness/sensitivity to diversity in terms of people and cultures. This includes a continuing appetite for development. 
• Teamwork: work effectively independently and with others, as both a team member and a leader, recognizing and respecting the values of equality and diversity. 
• Personal Development: The field course is an excellent opportunity to gain valuable first-hand experience and practical skills, which enhance employability and boost the CV. The reflective piece of assessment will cover reflection on personal development and career paths.

Assessment Summary 

Field trip activities include experiential learning. Students learning from the practical experience in the field, are exposed to a series of activities which will require them to understand the challenges associated with the operations of tourism by being themselves consumers of tourism. Participants will explore different types of tourism services and be challenged on the ways tourism organizations can be managed at a destination level by engaging in a series of field visits and activities. Thus, they will be able to develop a range of practical and professional skills.  

Students will learn from fieldwork activities, tutors, and peers as team performance improves when team members work together to increase trust and interdependence through building shared understanding. Moreover, the trip will provide participants with time for reflection and consolidation time to start developing the reflective journal. 

The module is assessed by Group Birth Giving (group work which will count for 30% of the total mark) and Field Trip Reflective Journal (70% of the total mark). Full assessment details are available in Appendix 2.  

Formative Assessments

Students will receive one-to-one feedback to design Field Trip Reflective journals (creative approaches are encouraged and discussed in advance with students).  

Description of Assessment Task and Purpose: Reflective Journal 

Learning Outcomes Assessed: 

LO3 Examine, assess, and challenge theories of sustainability and ethics in the  production and consumption of tourism; 
LO4 Analyse key tourism issues in different cultures and societies (with a focus on the  chosen destination)

Knowledge & Skills Assessed:  

• Subject-Specific Knowledge, Skills, and Understanding:  
• Professional Graduate Skills: independence and personal responsibility,  adaptability, written communication, creativity, effective time management, problem-solving, reflection; 
• Emotional Intelligence: self-awareness, self-management, awareness of others, managing and supporting others, motivation, resilience, self-confidence. 
• Career-focused Skills: the ability to work on a destination management task.