Evaluation of the Use of Web-Based Simulation Technology in Tourism Education from the Perspective of Students: An Application for Hotel Front Office Courses

OpenAlex · İngilizce

This study aimed to develop a Front-Office WBS application to be used in applied education in hotel front office courses and to determine student opinions on its effectiveness as an experiential learning tool. For this purpose, the design-based research (DBR) method was used in this study. In this context, the basic research problem was determined in the first stage. Then, a Front-Office WBS application was designed and the technical features, the operations that can be done, and the user roles were defined. After the developed Front-Office WBS application was tested by experts, it was used as course material by 28 students in the front office courses of the Tourism Management Department from a state university. Data was collected about the students' views on the Front-Office WBS using a semi-structured interview technique. MAXQDA 22 qualitative data analysis software was used to code the obtained data and perform thematic analysis. According to the results obtained from these analyses, the Front-Office WBS application was found sufficient and positive by the students in terms of its technical and educational features and was evaluated as an application that provides advantages in front-office education. However, it was determined that some features, such as the existing practices, dialogues, and visual quality of the application, needed to be improved, and equipment, such as room facilities and reception equipment, could be added. In addition, it was concluded that the Front-Office WBS had positive contributions such as providing pre-experience for real work experience and teaching work processes.