Engaging tourism students through multimedia teaching and active learning

Teachers of tourism play an important role in assisting students to develop geographical knowledge and a sound understanding of tourism terminology and statistics, coupled with an ability to put these attributes into use in appropriate, creative, and competent ways. This article describes a multimedia-based teaching technique used in a New Zealand university tourism course and presents research findings regarding its impacts. In particular, the technique motivated students to attend and participate in class and contributed to a reported increase in tourism-related knowledge as well as an understanding of and appreciation for other cultures. © 2008 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.