Evaluating the Impact of University Teaching on Approaches to Learning of First-Year Hospitality Students

The central theme of this study is the improvement of the quality of student learning through the understanding of ways in which university students experience their learning. The study investigates whether there is a change in students' approaches to learning as they progress through their programmes of study, and the reasons for any change or the lack of change. Data were collected on student approaches to learning at two points: initial entry to their programmes and the beginning of their second year of the same programmes. The study is a longitudinal one. It is hoped that assessing and analysing students' learning approaches and the direction of any change will allow feedback to be provided to department, course teams, and teachers about how they are affecting the way their students approach learning and thereby assist them to work towards continued improvement and enhancement of learning and teaching. (C) 2006 by The Haworth Press, Inc. All rights reserved.