Department of Tourism and Hotel Management
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Browsing Department of Tourism and Hotel Management by Author "Collins, A. B."
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Item Open Access Adding a course to the curriculum? dilemmas and problems(Routledge, 2006) Collins, A. B.The "knee-jerk" implementation of curriculum without study, understanding, proper implementation, and follow-up monitor cannot assure a purposeful addition to educational programs. This research was conducted to assess the effectiveness of a new course (Co-Op Management Applications, or CMA) added to the curriculum at a higher-education level. Course effectiveness was assessed from all stakeholders' perspectives; students, sector representatives, school administration, and instructors. Data were collected through questionnaires and interview schedules and subjected to quantitative (descriptive) and qualitative (content) analysis. The findings show that a representative "needs assessment, facility analysis, and force field analysis" was not conducted during the course development and implementation. Further, the proper monitor of student assessment was not being conducted. It is apparent that a meaningful work experience was being imparted to the students. Early monitor and evaluation could have potentially assured that the students benefited and achieved the course intentions before going forward.Item Open Access Are we teaching what we should? dilemmas and problems in tourism and hotel management education(Cognizant Communication Corporation, 2002) Collins, A. B.There is a growing demand for professionally educated and trained staff in the Tourism and Hotel Management (THM) sector as the whole industry attempts to meet expanded consumer wants and desires. This article examines the relevance of THM education from stakeholders' perspectives, namely, the THM sector, the current and graduate THM students. The following research questions were posed: 1) What are the sector representatives' perceptions regarding the effectiveness of tourism education? 2) What are the current and graduate students' perceptions regarding the effectiveness of tourism education? and 3) What recommendations can be made to improve the system? Both quantitative and qualitative methods were employed in the study. Results showed that there was an expanding need for university recognition of specialization due to new technologies and consumer maturation. Likewise, the need for an improved mix between the academic and practical experience and second language inadequacies were highlighted by joint concerns expressed by the sector representatives and the graduate students.Item Open Access Does a school make a difference? perceptions of an ‘effective school’(Sage Publications Ltd., 2002) Collins, A. B.This article examines perceptions of an effective school considering relevant literature, teachers’, administrators’ and students’ judgments. It discusses effectiveness as it applies to private school systems operating in Turkey. It gives abridged aspects of the current Turkish Education System: state; and private. This perception, Eastern European, Quasi-Mediterranean, draws commonalities with Western systems lying groundwork for comparisons of universal problems faced by educators. The study employed qualitative case study methods and procedures. Data were collected through interview schedules, document analysis and observation notes. Results show that the subjects perceive ‘effective school’ qualities as being school leadership, school culture/climate and quality human resources. Commonality can be found between the situation presented here and other developing school systems.Item Open Access English-medium higher education: dilemma and problems(Ani Publishing, Ani Yayincilik, 2010) Collins, A. B.Problem statement: "Non-English speaking" countries have no choice but to learn English in order to survive in the international market. Establishing English-medium higher education institutions is one of the educational policies that has been adopted by countries like Turkey, in order to provide a greater advantage for the country in the international market. The purpose of the study: This research was conducted at an English-medium university located in a non-English speaking country in order to assess its effectiveness at the university level from the perspective of students and instructors. The research surveyed the perspectives of the students and instructors based on their rate of foreign language proficiency and their attitudes toward English-medium education. Their recommendations were also gathered to help improve the system. Methods: Both quantitative and qualitative methods were employed for data collection and analysis. The research was conducted using a random sampling from a population of 1011 students and 117 instructors. A balanced percentage (10%) of the student and the instructor population, from each faculty, was included in the study. Data was gathered through two sets of questionnaires consisting of closed and open-ended questions. Multiple choice and the Likert Scale format (1 to 5) were used for the closeended questions. Both the instructor’s and student’s questionnaires were prepared in their mother tongue in order to obtain more detailed information. The data was subjected to a quantitative (descriptive) and qualitative (content) analysis Results: The results show that students feel disadvantaged during their college years, due to a self-perceived low language proficiency. Both the students and the instructors believe that if the system is improved it will provide great benefits to the whole university student population, not only in Turkey but in all EU Countries. Conclusions and recommendations: In order to reconcile the instructor’s misgivings, as well as enhance student performance, a middle ground should be found at which students can reach their potential. Therefore, it is recommended that special text be prepared for English-medium educational programs, or for any other language being used in a nonnative environment. It should integrate subject matter, English text, and native language supplemental explanations. Lectures, class discussion, and testing should continue in English, thus retaining the prime advantages of immersion learning techniques. In this way, a student will find ease in continuing to read and communicate concepts in a foreign language. Further, Turkey should expand its language education by promoting the acquisition of a second language in order to have a head start on its own ascension into the global community, modeling itself on the EU aspirations for a majority of their citizens to speak two foreign languages.Item Open Access Entertaining international visitors — the hybrid nature of tourism shows(Routledge, 2008) Ryan, C.; Collins, A. B.Given that a post-modern perspective of tourism has introduced a new gaze of the destination as a construction of both visitor perception and supplier commodification, the language of cultural compression and place displacement has become commonplace. It has almost become a cliche to argue that tourism deconstructs history, fact and fantasy to re-assemble a hybrid that nonetheless can generate an experiential authenticity. Yet the tourism academic literature has been comparatively silent about the construction of theatre entertainment for visitors outside of a critique of indigenous peoples' cultural performance. This paper examines the ways in which a Japanese venture based upon Dutch architecture seeks to entertain an audience that is a mix of domestic and international visitors through an evening theatre entertainment titled An Eastern Odyssey. The nature of plot and presentation is examined in an effort to develop a set of reference points to illustrate how a cast comprising primarily non-Japanese performers develops a story with a mix of reference points as diverse as Gilbert and Sullivan to Star Wars via the Japanese tradition of Kabuki in order to overcome language differences and incomprehensibilities. It is argued that constructed reference points produce a show that communicates over cultural distances by reference to a hybrid of popular cultures. Yet, this hybrid is itself a package distanced from the cultures of its audiences by bridgeable nuances to develop a touristic dramatology of fantasy and spectacle. Within a trilogy of fantasies, production, the nature of Huis Ten Bosch and arguably a financial fantasy, An Eastern Odyssey becomes itself a metaphor for much post-modern tourism.Item Open Access Gateway to the real world, industrial training: dilemmas and problems(Pergamon Press, 2001-02) Collins, A. B.In today's competitive society, students are faced with a selective job market which places premium on experience. Hands-on experience cannot be imparted through lectures. It can only be gained through direct activity, either laboratory or real world confrontation. Laboratory learning is clinical, whereas, real-world confrontation, known as industrial training or internship, affords students a first hand glimpse of reality. There is no substitution for the "sting of battle". This paper examines stakeholders' reactions to the university level "industrial training" program and its success in providing a realistic workplace experience. The study examined the structure of the "industrial training system" (ITS), its strengths and weaknesses, and what can be done to improve the system. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.Item Open Access Human resources: A hidden advantage?(Emerald Publishing Limited, 2007) Collins, A. B.Purpose - This study seeks to identify the general characteristics of the profile of staff at five-star hotels, and methods of recruitment, and makes suggestions for improvement in this sector. It is hoped that it will lead hotels to a greater competitive advantage. Design/methodology/approach - Both qualitative and quantitative methods were used to collect and analyze the data. Comparisons were made with existing data in order to determine trends and characteristics of hotel staff. Findings - The results show that there is room for staff improvement and improvement in recruitment methods, even within five-star hotels. All hotels, regardless of their rating, should understand their human resources make-up and what needs to be implemented to retain staff. Practical implications - With these improvements one might better compete for the first time guests and repeat clientele. Other studies should be undertaken on an international basis in order to widen the database. Originality/value - There are few studies that address these particular issues, yet there is still additional room to expand the study and comparisons that need to be performed. It would be advantageous include hotels of a lesser rating in future studies.Item Open Access Impact of centralised istructional supervision on teachers: a case study of a private secondary school in Turkey(University of Malta * Faculty of Education, 2000) Collins, A. B.Examined implementation of centralized instructional supervision at a private Turkish secondary school, exploring administrators', department heads', and teachers' perceptions of this system's impact on all aspects of education. Results show that the system has deficiencies due to its judgmental, subjective nature and lack of adequate inspectors. It is considered an administrative assessment and does not provide formative support to teachers.Item Open Access Pay-back; can students evaluate their instructors: dilemmas and problems.(John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2001) Collins, A. B.Item Open Access School-based supervision at a private Turkish school: a model for improving teacher evaluation(Taylor & Francis Inc., 2002) Collins, A. B.All aspects of work, and even play, require an allusive entity called supervision. Supervision models vary from loosely organized structures to strict activity overview. The `instructional supervisory role' may be performed by one or several individuals from within or without the school, all working to assist school personnel improve their performance (for example, employees from the National Inspection System). As in other countries, Turkey has private and state schools. Both are subject to regular inspection by a centralized National Inspection System. However, in order to overcome shortfalls of the National Inspection System, private schools have had to establish internal teacher evaluation programs. The purpose of this paper is to assess current school-based supervision practices in one private school. It is intended to provide a school-based supervision model through which private secondary schools may improve their performance, accountability, and enhance teacher quality.Item Open Access Teacher performance evaluation: a stressful experience from a private secondary school(Routledge, 2004) Collins, A. B.The study examines aspects of centralized and school-based supervision (SBS) as carried out at a private secondary school. Data were gathered from administrators, teachers and students through interviews, critical incidents and pertinent documentation. The study points out that a combination of the two supervision systems offers benefits that a single, stand-alone system cannot, while highlighting the problems and the dilemma teachers find themselves in when faced with two systems of a summative nature. The study concludes that centralized and SBS can co-exist. They, however, must complement each other, not duplicate functions.