Exploring visual methods in teaching tourism

Abstract

Humankind is becoming increasingly image based. Visual culture is everywhere: it surrounds us all with still and moving images. Based on this pictorial change, working with the visual in education has the potential for engaging students in a process of self-reflection in an effort to change ways of thinking and behavior, aiming to consolidate concepts taught in classes. Nevertheless, there are key elements to consider as a set of methodologies and practices. The aim of this study is to explore multiple ways of working with the visual, within educational environments, specifically in classes taught in the second and third year of a degree in Tourism. Two examples of visual methodologies were considered for this study. An image-based exercise through the use of tourism cartoons as visual stimuli to evoke opinions and incite thoughts was fully implemented. Analysis was undertaken and the results are presented. A reflexive photography method is also proposed as another example for a visual-based exercise. The results from the cartoons exercise demonstrate that knowledge is continuously derived from the experience of the learner. The student’s impressions and full comprehension of the concepts taught in a particular subject were achieved with this exercise.