ITMI Technology Master Class - International Tour Management Institute

Technology is a powerful force in our lives. It can simplify a process, save valuable time, and breathe life into our commentary. It can also make us want to rip our hair out, question our sanity, and force us to crawl in bed and pull the covers over our heads. In this course, we are going to explore which technology is worth learning and how it can help you in every stage of your profession. From getting hired to preparing for a tour, to leading a tour, and everything in-between, we will help you step by step. This comprehensive course will revolution how you use technology and forever change how you tour direct.

Course Curriculum

Total learning: 110 lessons / 10 quizzes Time: 15 hours

1. Course Overview- The Technology Advantage: How technology can revolutionize your tour directing. 3

Making technology work for you is a learned skill. While the learning curve may be steeper for some than others, everyone can learn and benefit from utilizing technology as a tour director.
- Lesson1.1
  
  Welcome and Course Preparation
  14 min
- Lesson1.2
  
  Five Secrets For Success in this Course
  06 min
- Lesson1.3
  
  How the Course Works
  12 min
2. Technology Fundamentals: How to get started at any technology skill level. 11

Learn basic terminology, equipment, and how different types of technology relate to our jobs as tour directors. Once laid, this foundation will serve as a starting point from which the entire course will build.
- Lesson2.1
  
  Overview: The Big Picture
  14 min
- Lesson2.2
  
  What Devices Do You Need?
  25 min
- Lesson2.3
  
  What Cords and Adapters Do You Need?
  06 min
- Lesson2.4
  
  Caring for Your Devices
  15 min
- Lesson2.5
  
  Working Seamlessly Between Your Devices
  08 min
- Lesson2.6
  
  Software & Apps You Need to Learn
  13 min
- Lesson2.7
  
  Organizing Apps for Easy Access
  08 min
- Lesson2.8
  
  Internet Browsers and Helpful Websites
  03 min
- Lesson2.9
  
  Additional Learning Opportunities
  03 min
- Quiz2.1
  
  Technology Fundamentals Review Quiz
  37 questions
- Lesson2.10
  
  Final Thoughts
  05 min
3. Getting Hired: How to find and land tour job opportunities. 12

Learn how to promote yourself, connect with tour operators, and get work.
- Lesson3.1
  
  Overview: Guiding Principles in the Getting Hired Process
  04 min
- Lesson3.2
  
  Personal Promotion: E-mail and Social Media
  13 min
- Lesson3.3
  
  Start Organized- Stay Organized
  03 min
- Lesson3.4
  
  Crafting an Engaging Resume and Cover Letter
  20 min
- Lesson3.5
  
  Producing a Resume Introduction Video
  01 hour 10 min
- Lesson3.6
  
  Finding Tour Operators
  05 min
- Lesson3.7
  
  Applying for Work: Tracking Contacts with Companies
  20 min
- Lesson3.8
  
  Creating and Sharing an “Availability Calendar”
  15 min
- Lesson3.9
  
  Giving a Memorable Video Interview
  10 min
- Lesson3.10
  
  Accepting a Contract
  10 min
- Quiz3.1
  
  Getting Hired Review Quiz
  24 questions
- Lesson3.11
  
  Final Thoughts
  06 min
4. Planning a Tour: Overview 1

Learn how to organize, route, research, and gather commentary, harnessing the power of technology.
- Lesson4.1
  
  Introduction: Seeing the Big Picture of Tour Planning
  05 min
5. Planning a Tour: Routing with Google Maps 18

Learn how to utilize Google Maps, Google My Maps, & Google Earth to plan for a tour so you look like you have been there many times.
- Lesson5.1
  
  Overview Google Maps, Google My Maps, & Google Earth
  08 min
- Lesson5.2
  
  Getting Set Up with Google Maps
  07 min
- Lesson5.3
  
  Directions
  10 min
- Lesson5.4
  
  Finding Places/ Exploring an Area
  12 min
- Lesson5.5
  
  Traffic
  08 min
- Lesson5.6
  
  Using Satellite View
  15 min
- Lesson5.7
  
  Street View
  15 min
- Lesson5.8
  
  Information about Places
  10 min
- Lesson5.9
  
  Personalizing your Maps: Saved Places List
  14 min
- Lesson5.10
  
  Personalizing your Maps: Private Labels
  09 min
- Lesson5.11
  
  Personalizing your Maps: Personal Reviews
  12 min
- Lesson5.12
  
  Even More Useful Features
  30 min
- Lesson5.13
  
  Google MyMaps
  10 min
- Lesson5.14
  
  Google Earth
  10 min
- Lesson5.15
  
  Final Thoughts
  05 min
- Quiz5.1
  
  Routing Review Quiz
  39 questions
- Lesson5.16
  
  Protected: *Bonus- My Personal Google Maps Lists
  05 min
- Lesson5.17
  
  Evaluation
  04 min
6. Planning a Tour: Unleashing the Power of Video, Music, Photos, and Presentations 16

Learn how to choose media content, create presentations, build your video and music libraries, and know the technical aspect of connecting your devices to the coach screens.
- Lesson6.1
  
  Introduction
  04 min
- Lesson6.2
  
  Choosing Content
  16 min
- Lesson6.3
  
  Employing Photos
  07 min
- Lesson6.4
  
  Presentations: Choosing a Presentation Program
  15 min
- Lesson6.5
  
  Presentations: Creating Presentations- Layout/ Style Tips
  20 min
- Lesson6.6
  
  Presentations: Presentation/Slide Ideas
  13 min
- Lesson6.7
  
  Utilizing Videos
  18 min
- Lesson6.8
  
  Mastering Music
  08 min
- Lesson6.9
  
  Apps for Coach Screens
  05 min
- Lesson6.10
  
  Connecting to Coach Screens: Hardware Needed
  10 min
- Lesson6.11
  
  Connecting to Coach Screens: Device Selection and Tips
  15 min
- Lesson6.12
  
  Starter Tips
  10 min
- Quiz6.1
  
  Media on Tour: Helpful versus Harmful Quiz
  6 questions
- Lesson6.13
  
  Protected: *Bonus My Personal YouTube Playlist
  03 min
- Quiz6.2
  
  Using Media Review Quiz
  21 questions
- Lesson6.14
  
  Final Thoughts
  06 min
7. Planning a Tour: Organizing Your Tour Content 22

Learn how to to organize & edit tour content (commentary, itinerary, photos, maps, music, videos, games, handouts, presentations, etc.) and make it available and synced on all your devices, online or offline.
- Lesson7.1
  
  Intro
  03 min
- Lesson7.2
  
  General Organizational Tips
  07 min
- Lesson7.3
  
  Step #1: Choosing a System That Works for You
  25 min
- Lesson7.4
  
  Step #2: Setting Up Your System
  06 min
- Lesson7.5
  
  Notes Must Be Specific- About One Topic or Place
  10 min
- Lesson7.6
  
  How to lay out your individual notes
  15 min
- Lesson7.7
  
  Plan the Structure: Keep it Simple and Consistent
  08 min
- Lesson7.8
  
  Naming Notes and Notebooks
  16 min
- Lesson7.9
  
  Overwhelmed? Let’s get practical
  05 min
- Lesson7.10
  
  Step #3 Using Your System
  08 min
- Lesson7.11
  
  Create and Update as You Go
  03 min
- Lesson7.12
  
  “@inbox” Folder
  04 min
- Lesson7.13
  
  Utilize Links and Tags
  12 min
- Lesson7.14
  
  Make Notebooks Available Offline
  05 min
- Lesson7.15
  
  Annotate Photos and PDFs
  08 min
- Lesson7.16
  
  Transfer Files From Your Computer
  03 min
- Lesson7.17
  
  Input Methods For Placing Content into Evernote
  15 min
- Lesson7.18
  
  Insert Files Into Your Notes
  08 min
- Lesson7.19
  
  What Not to Put In Your Note System
  05 min
- Lesson7.20
  
  Learn Sort/Search Functions
  08 min
- Quiz7.1
  
  Organizing Tour Content Review Quiz
  33 questions
- Lesson7.21
  
  Evaluation
  04 min
8. Planning a Tour: Additional Considerations 6

Learn how to connect with guests, plan for international/cruise/rail tours and prepare your personal life for being on the road.
- Lesson8.1
  
  Connecting with Passengers Prior to Departure
  13 min
- Lesson8.2
  
  International/ Cruise/ Rail Planning Considerations
  15 min
- Lesson8.3
  
  Personal Preparation: Organize your life so you can access things from the road
  08 min
- Lesson8.4
  
  Protected: *Bonus: Preparing for the Unexpected
  08 min
- Quiz8.1
  
  Planning a Tour Review Quiz
  10 questions
- Lesson8.5
  
  Final Thoughts
  06 min
9. On Tour: How to simplify and enhance your daily tasks while impressing your guests and get higher tour ratings. 19

Learn how to use the technology onboard the coach, connecting with the passengers, work with your tour operator, and deal with unexpected things that pop up.
- Lesson9.1
  
  Coach: Welcome Onboard
  09 min
- Lesson9.2
  
  Coach: Technology Check When First Boarding
  10 min
- Lesson9.3
  
  Coach: Microphone
  17 min
- Lesson9.4
  
  Coach: DVD Player
  15 min
- Lesson9.5
  
  Coach: Radio/CD/Bluetooth
  04 min
- Lesson9.6
  
  Coach: Wi-Fi
  03 min
- Lesson9.7
  
  Coach: Power Supply
  05 min
- Lesson9.8
  
  Coach: Connections for Audio and Video
  10 min
- Lesson9.9
  
  Coach: *Spotlight on Prevost Coaches
  18 min
- Lesson9.10
  
  Coach: Technology Organization
  03 min
- Lesson9.11
  
  Guests: Learning Names
  05 min
- Lesson9.12
  
  Guests: Building Community
  03 min
- Lesson9.13
  
  Guests: Communication
  09 min
- Lesson9.14
  
  Being Seen and Heard on Tour
  08 min
- Lesson9.15
  
  Working with Your Tour Operator On Tour
  05 min
- Lesson9.16
  
  Dealing with the Unexpected: Planning on the Fly
  05 min
- Lesson9.17
  
  Personal Technology Tips On Tour
  06 min
- Quiz9.1
  
  On Tour Review Quiz
  26 questions
- Lesson9.18
  
  Final Thoughts
  06 min
10. Wrapping Up Your Tour: How to save time doing end of tour paperwork while preparing for your next tour. 7

Learn how to harness technology to simplify the paperwork that needs to be completed post-tour.
- Lesson10.1
  
  Introduction
  09 min
- Lesson10.2
  
  Finish Your Paperwork for the Tour Operator
  08 min
- Lesson10.3
  
  Update Your Tour Materials
  05 min
- Lesson10.4
  
  Evaluate and Make Needed Adjustments
  07 min
- Lesson10.5
  
  Taxes and Other Considerations
  05 min
- Quiz10.1
  
  Wrapping Up Tour Review Quiz
  10 questions
- Lesson10.6
  
  Final Thoughts
  06 min
11. Next Steps/ Conclusion: Where do you go from here? 5

Create an action plan for prioritizing what tech to work on first and getting the ball rolling.
- Lesson11.1
  
  Introduction
  06 min
- Lesson11.2
  
  SMARTER Goals
  12 min
- Quiz11.1
  
  Final Quiz
  136 questions
- Lesson11.3
  
  In Conclusion
  03 min
- Lesson11.4
  
  Evaluation of the Course
  06 min

ABOUT INSTRUCTOR

Casey Walton

Growing up in rural Virginia with my pet pig, Wilbur, I never imagined I would one day travel the world for a living. College and graduate school led me to a variety of roles, including travel consultant, teacher, media specialist, production director, and speaker. One day, a friend asked me to help plan and lead a student tour to New York City. During the trip, a chaperone commented on what a fantastic job I had–as a tour guide. I explained to them that I wasn’t a tour guide… and added that I wasn’t sure that was even a real job! They assured me it was and connected me with their friend, a recent graduate of ITMI. I was intrigued by the concept and soon discovered that ITMI was the real deal. In 2010 I eagerly attended. I have spent the last ten years working full-time, leading adult and student tours across the US and thirty-eight countries. I take a few months off each year to backpack on my own and have visited an additional twenty-eight countries. What can I say? I love to travel. I believe that travel has the power to transform worldviews and bring people together. There is no greater joy than to witness the moment when travel becomes transformational. As tour directors, we facilitate experiences for people not only to see the world but to walk away changed. It is a great privilege to be a part of ITMI, investing in the next generation of tour professionals. My passion is utilizing technology to simplify and enhance our jobs while providing fantastic experiences for our guests. I love helping both the novice and the nerd get up to speed on technology and current innovations in our field. I have more resources available at ResourcesForTheRoad.com