Unit 2: Human resource development in theory and practice
Week 2: 8th -14th May (Activities: 2.1, 2.2 & 2.3)
This unit examines the emergence of thinking about human resource development (HRD) and about talent and talent development within organisations. You will review ideas about how people and organisations learn, and the different theories about learning that underpin these ideas. Alongside this, you will consider how these concepts relate to your own practice.
A recurrent criticism in the HRD field is the apparent disconnect between theory and practice. Outside the academic world, the word ‘theory’ can sometimes have negative connotations and be seen as something highly abstract and far from reality that perhaps has not been tested. This tension between theory and practice is not peculiar to the world of HRD, but there is sometimes said to be a divide between practitioners and researchers in this field, which can be detrimental to the development of good practice. As the title of this unit suggests, you will be encouraged to reflect on how the theories and practices you read about could be applied to your own practice.
Learning outcomes for Unit 2
By the end of this unit, you will be able to:- explain the emergence of thinking about HRD
- critically evaluate ideas about talent and talent development
- describe different types of learning
- compare and evaluate theories about how people learn
- review different approaches to helping people to learn in organisations
- evaluate ideas about organisational learning and how they relate to HRD activities.
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Additional
study resources in this unit The table below shows what additional
resources you will need for study in each section of this unit, alongside the
online materials. |
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Section |
Materials |
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2.1 Emergence and purpose of HRD |
Activity 2.1: Printed Reader (also available
online) Activity 2.2: Video |
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2.2 Ideas about talent and talent development |
Activity 2.3: Tutor group forum |
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2.3 Ideas about how people learn |
Activity 2.4: Video |
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2.4 Classical theories of learning |
Behaviourism: Video Activity 2.7: Online reading, video and online
interactive activity |
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2.5 Contemporary learning approaches |
No additional resources |
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2.6 Organisational learning |
Activity 2.8: Printed Reader (also available
online) |
