Redefining Assessment in Tourism and Hospitality Education

Abstract

Higher educational institutions (HEIs) play a substantial role in the development of knowledge and skills that can cope with the demands of industries in the fourth industrial revolution (4IR). This study examined the alignment between the current assessment practices used by HEIs and the competencies demanded by the hospitality and tourism industry.  It also aimed to develop an assessment strategy typology that could specifically target the competencies required by the industry. In addition, the study was able to determine the three most and the three least preferred assessment methods as perceived by the hotel and restaurant management students in a private university in Mandaluyong City, Philippines.  The findings revealed the common assessment methods employed by teachers in Hospitality and Tourism Managemnt (HTM) major courses. The study argues that the use of these identified assessment methods likewise contribute in developing the emerging skills in the 4IR such as sense-making, social intelligence, novel and adaptive thinking, and new media literacy. Further, the innovative strategies in the application of the assessment methods were found to be effective in student learning.  Accordingly, hospitality educators are encouraged to continuously hone their knowledge and skills to provide quality education and produce competent graduates ready to face the challenges of today’s technological era.