Optimizing the Learning Experience Guided by Flow Theory: A Case Study of Practical Exercise in Tourism Higher Education

The future of tourism education should endeavor to redefine the positioning of participants in learning by placing the student at the center, while the teacher shifts to a guidance-oriented role. The purpose of this study is to introduce a practical field exercise that leads students to take on the role of a tour guide for an attraction during a field trip. Students were asked to design a virtual tour for the attraction using a video presentation and live online streaming. The flow theory served as a theoretical guide to measure students' learning effectiveness and perceptions before and after the activity. The results showed a significant improvement in the students' performance after the practical exercises. Among the key factors influencing students' flow experience are learning status, innovative teaching and modern tools, skill development, and language proficiency.