Exploring ‘deep learning’ during an international tourism field school

Abstract

Arguably, in an increasingly ‘supercomplex’ tourism world, tourism graduates must be prepared to think about and act in the best interests of multiple stakeholders. In order to develop such graduates, tourism programmes are therefore tasked with encouraging learning that is both thought provoking/changing and affective; this is deep learning. International tourism field schools, as a form of experiential learning, appear to have considerable potential for encouraging deep learning. However, there is little research about what type of learning, as well as how this learning, actually occurs. This research investigated the learning experiences and learning outcomes of students who, as part of their Master's degree, participated in an international tourism field school in Northern Thailand. We found that international tourism field schools offer a potent opportunity for deep learning, in that students develop a heightened awareness of, and are affected by, tourism's supercomplexities. Such changes may, in turn, lead to more ethical and sustainable actions in the future.