Technology in tourism education during the COVID-19 pandemic

ABSTRACT

Due to the pandemic, it was necessary to switch to distance learning. As such, the present investigation has the aim of perceiving the students’ satisfaction of the quality of distance learning, and their reasons. 314 online surveys were carried out, aimed at tourism students at different levels of education. The data allows us to interpret and evaluate the methodologies and resources used and to readapt them in the face of the identified weaknesses. Students’ opinions on online classes tend to be more positive than negative. However, only 19% consider that they learn through technological means. There are benefits of online classes, comfort, not being exposed to the virus, no commute, however, there are negatives as well, the lack of contact with teachers and colleagues, work overload, ease of copying, massive classes, ease of distraction, and invasion of privacy by forcing sound and connected cameras. When analyzing the technologies used, there is a trend towards the use of PowerPoint, Kahoot, Padlet, Google forms, Quizizz, and Mentimeter. We believe that in the future, tourism teachers should be inquired, regarding the methodologies used and difficulties experienced. © 2022, Journal of Tourism & Development. All rights reserved.