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Problem-based learning for developing interpersonal skills: the case of hospitality and tourism students

dc.contributor.authorSilva, Susana
dc.contributor.authorCouto, Maria João
dc.date.accessioned2022-03-17T10:46:01Z
dc.date.available2022-03-17T10:46:01Z
dc.date.issued2022
dc.description.abstractConsidering that one of the main goals of higher education is to promote the development of employability skills in students so that they can be able to adapt and function in unknown and ever-changing professional contexts, the dichotomy between work and professional practice assumes great relevance. As the tourism industry is constantly changing, a focus on predominantly theoretical training has proven to be insufficient. Several studies have shown that there is a gap between the classroom context and the challenges existing in the real work context. The pedagogical strategies adopted in higher education in Tourism and Hospitality courses continue to show little investment in the development of practical knowledge, skills, and attitudes. In this sense, the use of problem-based learning (PBL) in higher education, as a constructivist strategy, assumes a crucial role. By promoting self-learning, PBL enables the development of conceptual and procedural knowledge, problem-solving skills, critical thinking, creativity, and teamwork skills, thus enhancing motivation and the perception of self-fulfillment. In a PBL setting, students are encouraged to share their opinions, perceptions, and knowledge and to formulate new ideas and concepts. By assuming an active role in the construction of their knowledge, through confrontation with "real situations" and based on a collaborative environment, students develop more meaningful learning, access and use specific skills in meaningful contexts, develop a greater perception of self-confidence and self-efficacy before entering the labor market. By developing a better understanding of the complexities inherent in the real world, they foster their future employability. Considering the challenges faced by hospitality and tourism students in the organizational context, especially when they are responsible for managing people, we used the PBL strategy in the classroom context. Our main research aim is to understand the students' perception of the impact of the use of PBL on the development of skills that enhance their interpersonal skills and employability. The research used a quantitative approach with two evaluation moments: at the beginning of the semester (M1) and at the end of the semester (M2). The data were collected through an online questionnaire during March 2020 and June 2020. We obtained 180 answers for M1 and 165 for M2. The results suggested that, for moment 1, students valued equally all the interpersonal skills, and they intend to develop mostly communication skills. For moment 2, the students valued more all the interpersonal skills. They had considered that the PBL strategy was important to develop their self-confidence and relations with others and less important for initiative and openness. Moreover, the students had considered that this is a very positive strategy to develop the skills in the curricular unit. Our results suggested that the use of problem-based learning for classes that aim to develop practical skills, namely interpersonal skills, should be adopted.pt_PT
dc.description.versioninfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersionpt_PT
dc.identifier.doi10.21125/inted.2022.0714pt_PT
dc.identifier.isbn978-84-09-37758-9
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10400.22/20273
dc.language.isoengpt_PT
dc.publisherIATEDpt_PT
dc.relation.publisherversionhttps://library.iated.org/view/SILVA2022PROpt_PT
dc.subjectProblem-based learningpt_PT
dc.subjectHospitality and tourism studentspt_PT
dc.subjectEmployability skillspt_PT
dc.subjectInterpersonal skillspt_PT
dc.titleProblem-based learning for developing interpersonal skills: the case of hospitality and tourism studentspt_PT
dc.typeconference object
dspace.entity.typePublication
oaire.citation.conferencePlaceOnlinept_PT
oaire.citation.endPage2430pt_PT
oaire.citation.startPage2423pt_PT
oaire.citation.titleINTED2022 Proceedings: 16th International Technology, Education and Development Conferencept_PT
person.familyNamesilva
person.familyNameCouto
person.givenNamesusana
person.givenNameMaria João
person.identifier.ciencia-idA71E-FBE0-F333
person.identifier.ciencia-idA617-7AEE-16C8
person.identifier.orcid0000-0003-4760-7662
person.identifier.orcid0009-0001-1759-9545
person.identifier.ridE-8423-2017
person.identifier.scopus-author-id57203104518
rcaap.rightsclosedAccesspt_PT
rcaap.typeconferenceObjectpt_PT
relation.isAuthorOfPublication19ab22db-78fa-4948-b820-434b46de1d9b
relation.isAuthorOfPublication9005a407-970a-4314-8038-cda4b4a9d00e
relation.isAuthorOfPublication.latestForDiscovery9005a407-970a-4314-8038-cda4b4a9d00e

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