Citation
Newman, D. (2019), "Intensive, one credit, innovative, experiential courses at the Chaplin School of Hospitality and Tourism Management", International Hospitality Review, Vol. 33 No. 2, pp. 150-150. https://doi.org/10.1108/IHR-12-2019-024
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2019, Diann Newman
License
Published in International Hospitality Review. Published by Emerald Publishing Limited. This article is published under the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) licence. Anyone may reproduce, distribute, translate and create derivative works of this article (for both commercial & non-commercial purposes), subject to full attribution to the original publication and authors. The full terms of this licence may be seen at http://creativecommons.org/licences/by/4.0/legalcode
The Chaplin School of Hospitality Management at FIU has developed creative, experiential learning opportunities called PODS (programming on demand). Since Fall 2018, we have offered 38 PODS and have had 433 instances of enrollment. Some PODS limit enrollment to a few students because they are offered in conjunction with an industry event or conference.
PODS are one credit, intensive courses, generally offered for 15 h over a weekend or online. The intent was to have engaging and exciting courses to supplement our curriculum. We have offered only electives, but PODS can also be an option to offer the competencies in a required course. Three one-credit PODS equal one three-credit elective. Another motivation was to offer courses that include hands-on experience in the hospitality and tourism industry. For example, we have collaborated with the Fountainebleu Hotel, the Loew’s Hotel and Disney’s Leadership Program. We have offered certification in CHIA and Wedding Planning. Our PODS have provided a vehicle to teach soft skills and cutting-edge ideas. Our PODS have been successful online as well as face to face. Attached is a list of PODS offered since Fall, 2018.
POD proposals are reviewed by our curriculum committee to insure the learning objectives and assessment methods are appropriate. If approved, the proposed course is vetted by the faculty from our School. Student feedback has been very positive, with students particularly enjoying the focus on extremely engaged learning and the opportunity to experience something unique to our industry.
We have offered PODS for four semesters and research confirms that students who register for PODS have increased student credit hours per semester, supporting our goal of a four-year graduation rate.
The following link is to an article published in our student newspaper about the PODS: http://panthernow.com/2019/08/12/new-hands-on-classes-coming-to-school-of-hospitality/
The list of POD course we have offered is available at: https://hospitality.fiu.edu/pods/