Measurement of transformative learning in study abroad: An application of the learning activities survey

• Published in: The journal of hospitality, leisure, sport & tourism education leisure, sport & tourism education, 2017-11, Vol.21, p.23-32
• Main Authors: Stone, Garrett A., Duerden, Mat D., Duffy, Lauren N., Hill, Brian J., Witesman, Eva M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Educational Objectives; Experiential Learning; Globalization; Higher education; International Education; Language Acquisition; Learning; Learning activities survey; Learning Processes; Learning Theories; Roles; Study Abroad; Theory; Transformative learning; Travel
• ISSN: 1473-8376; 1473-8376
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jhlste.2017.05.003

Study abroad research has demonstrated that education abroad provides a host of benefits; however, it is still unclear how and to what extent these benefits occur. The present study aims to elucidate the study abroad learning process, especially as it pertains to the outcome of transformative learning. First, the study introduces the Learning Activities Survey (LAS), an instrument that operationalizes and quantitatively measures transformative learning constructs. Second, the study demonstrates the utility of the LAS for tourism educators, using data collected from students enrolled in the school of management at a private northwestern university. Results confirm that transformative learning occurs in study abroad settings and suggest that specific learning activities (e.g., exploring, sharing, and planning) facilitate transformative learning in that context. The authors recommend continued research using the LAS to measure transformative learning constructs in study abroad and other non-traditional contexts.