Strengthening Curriculum through Student Learning Outcome Assessment in Experiential Learning

Abstract

All undergraduate Hospitality Management students at the University of Central Florida are required to participate in three semesters of cooperative education (co-op) experience. Through these work-integrated learning experiences, students and their supervisors evaluate the development of student competencies each semester. Using an evaluation method developed by Cates and Cedercreutz (2008), the longitudinal learning outcome data provided by supervisors is analyzed and graphed, creating a visual image of the strengths and weaknesses in student learning over time. In this paper, data for 242 Hospitality Management majors and 140 Event Management majors at UCF are presented based on 41 competencies. Examples of how the use of this assessment method can be used in Hospitality Management programs and curriculum reviews are presented.