Real Life Learning by Doing and Experiencing: A Research Based Project to Investigate the Effectiveness of an Experiential Learning Model with Event Management Students
Document Type
Conference Proceeding
Publisher
Academic Publishing Limited
Faculty
Faculty of Business and Law
School
School of Marketing, Tourism and Leisure
RAS ID
13430
Abstract
This paper is based on the premise that in order to provide students of event management with the skills and knowledge to run events, they must firstly experience organising and managing an 'actual' event. Balancing the theoretical input with the practical aspects of events in Tertiary degree courses in event management will enable such students to become multitasking and as a result gain highly portable skills that will help them succeed in securing employment in event management and many other, associated professions. One of the most important challenges facing higher education institutions in the future will be to equip students will the skills necessary to secure professional employment, such as in event management. Indeed, in a survey involving 1100 employers in Australia (Neilsen 2000) reported that the five most important skills needed for graduate employment were oral business communication skills, creativity, problem-solving skills, independent and critical thinking skills, and flexibility. Furthermore, (Greenan et al 1997) reported similar findings in the UK, as did (Braxton et al 1996) in the United States. Experiential learning approaches are a valuable tool to overcome the knowledge- practice gap recognised in many vocationally orientated disciplines (Kennedy, Lawton & Walker, 2001) In this study, an experiential learning model and rationale was put into practice with undergraduate students in an Introduction to Events (Recreation 212) module/unit in partnership with Sport Canterbury (one of 17 regional Sports Trusts, throughout New Zealand). Students enrolled on this module/unit were made responsible for every aspect of managing the annual Rebel Kiwi Sport Challenge (a series of recreation based half to full day events for Primary schoolchildren based in the Canterbury region). During the module/unit students explored the creation and manipulation of an event experience and gained real life, hands on experience and acquired skills and knowledge to help them plan, implement, and evaluate an event.
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Comments
Lamb, D. (2011). Real life learning by doing and experiencing: a research based project to investigate the effectiveness of an experiential learning model with event management students. Paper presented at the ECRM 2011: 10th European Conference on Research Methodology for Business and Management Studies. Caen, France. Available here