Enhancing the Learning Process - Assignment Example

Running Head: Learning Plan Assignment of Table of Contents A learning plan is very essential in enhancing the learning process learning, particularly online learning. Online learning has proved very useful for a number of disciplines, particularly Human Recourse Management. Human Resource Management refers to the coherent and strategic approach to managing an organization’s most valuable assets, who are the people working for that organization. An organization’s employees collectively and individually contribute to attainment of its goals and objectives. The term human resource management has come to replace another term ‘personnel management.’ E-learning provides a unique experience accommodating the three fundamental styles of learning namely kinesthetic, visual and auditory. It enables efficient training of an internationally spread audience. Moreover, e-learning reduces publishing as well as distribution costs. E-learning provides individualized instruction for learners unlike print media. E-learning differs from the traditional instructor-led courses in that the instructor-led courses are costly and clumsy. In collaboration with proper needs assessment, e-learning is capable of targeting specific learning needs. Through the use of learning style tests, e-learning is also capable locating and targeting individual learning preferences. According to the Trim learning theories, a number of activities should be used to ensure good learning. The linguistic mode has been found to provide the way to one of the most accurate methods of learning. This explains why it has had such a big impact on the world of training and education. To increase linguistic retention, one must follow a variety of ways such as note taking, cueing and active learning. A learning plan will therefore go a long way in making the distance learning experience a beneficial and satisfying one. It must however meet the learning outcomes of the course being offered. Introduction The unit for my learning plan assignment is a bachelor’s degree in Human Resource Management. This refers to the coherent and strategic approach to managing an organization’s most valuable assets, who are the people working for that organization (Armstrong, 2006). An organization’s employees collectively and individually contribute to attainment of its goals and objectives. The term human resource management has come to replace another term ‘personnel management.’ Human resource management describes processes involved in the management of people in an organization (Armstrong, 2006). Simply put, human resource management entails employment of people, development of resources, utilization, maintenance and compensation of services in line with organizational and job requirements. Human resource management techniques have forced managers to express their organizations’ goals with specificity in order for the workforce to understand and undertake them, and to provide the necessary resources for successful accomplishment of their assignments. Human resource management techniques express an organization’s overall operating practices and goals when properly practiced. Many people see human resource management as very important in reducing risk within an organization. The term ‘personnel management’ is often used to describe the activities required in the recruitment of a workforce, providing the workforce with benefits and payroll and administration of its work and life needs. Human resource management is aimed at helping an organization in meeting its strategic goals through attracting and retaining employees as well as managing them effectively. Human resource management strives to make sure that there is a fit between an organization’s employee management and its overall strategic direction. HRM encompasses a number of processes that combine together to drive the organization towards its goals. These processes can either done in the organization’s human resource department or some of them can be outsourced or done by other departments or line managers. When properly integrated, human resource management processes can go a long way in providing an important economic gain to the organization. The processes include workforce planning, recruitment, performance appraisal, personnel cost planning, employee benefits administration, payroll, travel management, time management, compensation, personnel administration, training and development, skills management, and induction and orientation. Human resource management functions include various activities, the most important being establishing the staffing needs of an organization. After establishing the organization’s staffing needs, it is important to decide who between independent contractors and new employees should be hired to fill the identified needs. Other activities that follow include recruitment and training, and tackling performance issues. All these activities must conform to the appropriate regulations. Why e-learning environment My decision to use e-learning is as a result of the numerous benefits that it offers. E-learning provides a unique experience accommodating the three fundamental styles of learning namely kinesthetic, visual and auditory (Kearsley, 1997). It enables efficient training of an internationally spread audience. Moreover, e-learning reduces publishing as well as distribution costs (Karrer, 2007). E-learning provides individualized instruction for learners unlike print media (Kearsley, 1997). E-learning differs from the traditional instructor-led courses in that the instructor-led courses are costly and clumsy. In collaboration with proper needs assessment, e-learning is capable of targeting specific learning needs (Graziadei et al, 1997). Through the use of learning style tests, e-learning is also capable locating and targeting individual learning preferences. In addition, the synchronous form of e-learning, unlike many other forms of learning, is self-paced (Graziadei et al, 1997). Advanced learners have the option of speeding through or bypassing instructions that may be redundant. Similarly, novices are allowed to slow down their progress through content. This goes a long way in eliminating any frustrations with themselves the course and their fellow learners. Electronic learning leads to reduced overall learning costs, mainly due to the elimination of a number of costs. These costs include the instructors’ salaries, meals, lodging, student travel, and meeting room rentals. There is also a reduction in the time that employees spend away from their jobs. E-learning also reduces learning times greatly (Graziadei et al, 1997). According to Fletcher (1991), e-learning leads increased application and retention of jobs compared to the traditional methods. The asynchronous and self-paced form of e-learning enables a consistent delivery of learning content (Graziadei et al, 1997). Through good e-learning and the use of proper knowledge management systems, it is easier to communicate expert knowledge to the learners compared to the traditional forms of learning. E-learning enables automation of proof of certification and completion unlike the traditional learning forms (Graziadei et al, 1997). For students, e-learning makes it possible for them to go through their training at their own convenience. The self-pacing offered by e-learning increases satisfaction and reduces stress (Karrer, 2007). Moreover, this form of learning interactively engages the users and pushes them through the training as opposed to pulling them. The availability of quick or refresher reference materials helps in boosting the learners’ confidence, while at the same time reducing their burden of mastery. Principles of Good Learning According to the Trim learning theories, a number of activities should be used to ensure good learning. The linguistic mode has been found to provide the way to one of the most accurate methods of learning. This explains why it has had such a big impact on the world of training and education. To increase linguistic retention, one must follow a variety of ways such as note taking, cueing and active learning. Note taking has a great positive impact on the linguistic mode of learning. This is mainly because it engages the learners in whatever is being learnt and causes them to reflect on it before recording their thoughts. It also helps them interpret the subject matter and provides an added linguistic reinforcer. Learners should be actively involved or engaged in the process of learning for them to acquire greater knowledge (Pascarella and Terenzini, 1991). Marzano (1998) also seems to concur with Pascarella’s and Terezini’s findings. He found that note taking positively affects learning. He further found that note taking greatly helps students in generating personal linguistic representation of whatever information is being presented. Cueing provides abstract propositions that are later expounded on so as to translate them to full, lasting memory network. Cues can be regarded as brief previews or skills that are to be presented. Non-linguistic methods of learning are also very important for good learning. They help in reinforcing the three processors that all learners have, hence lengthening the process of learning rather than shortening it. For instance, mental images have a great power that can go a long way in increasing non-linguistic retention. The teacher should provide metaphors, short videos with powerful images, reflection activities, and reflection time, in addition to using story telling. This is because one must be try to be creative with a subject so as to understand its matter and adapt it to his or her workplace. The Targeted Users of the Program The course targets high school graduates who have an interest in making human resource management their career. It also targets those working in the human resource profession and need an upgrade of their skills. Moreover, it targets people working in the general management, and who acknowledge the importance of human resource management. Outcomes, Assessments and Activities of the Unit Teaching/learning activities Learning outcomes Assessment tasks Reading literature Reviewing literature Online discussions LO1: what is good learning Ensure appropriate literature and experience are used to explain the learning approach Allow self-pacing among learners Micro-learning Micro-lecture LO2: create learning opportunities Ensure appropriate personal experience or ideas generated from the wiki are used to explain the learning approach used. Flexible Learning programs Learning feedback LO3: use an e-learning environment as a teacher Computer-based testing Use of a learning management system Create a learning plan for an online Human Resource Management course LO4: create a learning plan Ensure a clear rationale in the choice of topic plan Structure of Unit The online human resource management bachelor’s degree course will be custom made. It will be tailored towards meeting the current market needs in the rapidly growing field of human resource management. The program particularly addresses the existing strengths and weaknesses as far as market opportunities are concerned. The main topics covered by the course are listed below. Employee Relations Training and Development Performance and Reward Benefits and Compensation Recruitment and Selection Business Statistics Human Resources Management I Human Resources Management II Decision Making Environmental Management Introduction to Economics International Management HRM Techniques Project Management Legal Context of Employment Relations International Business Law Principles of Managerial Accounting Strategic Human Resource Management Strategic Management Human Resource Information Systems Orientation Courses Communication and Investigation Seminar Cultural Development Seminar Administrative Development Experiential Learning Organization Theory Seminar International Development Thesis Proposal Research Project in HRM Bachelor Thesis Project Bachelor Thesis The Human Resource Management Topic Plan My topic of choice among those covered by the course is Human Resource Management I. This is because it is the most relevant to the course being offered. Besides, it can easily be offered in distance learning programs such as online learning. Outcomes Human resource management I is an introductory topic that covers basic concepts of the course. At the end of this topic, the learners are expected to be familiar with fundamental human resource management principles. Moreover, they are expected to have grasped key functions of human resource management. At the end of this topic, the learner will have a general picture of what the field of human resource management is all about. Activities This topic will involve reading a lot of literature, ranging from books to journals, both in print and electronic. It will also include online discussions with the instructor so as to clarify. Learning will also involve the use if case studies related to the field of human resource management. Resources The main resources for this topic will be books and journals, both printed and electronic. It will also require the use of multimedia such as computers connected to the Internet. Other forms of multimedia will include online conferencing facilities to enable easy communication between the learners and the teacher. Assessment The assessment of Human Resource Management I will mainly be through computer-based testing. The learner will also be required to submit various typed assignments and essays. Success in the topic will be determined by whether or not the learner meets the outcomes of the topic. Moreover, a grasp of good learning principles will greatly contribute to scoring a good grade. Learner Support In order to boost learning among the students, a proper online learning environment will be created. Learners will be allowed to learn at their own paces. This will help in reducing stress among the slow-learners. Similarly, self-pacing will help in increasing the levels of satisfaction among the fast-learners. Learning will also be individualized in order to meet the specific needs among of the learners. Feedback and evaluation Computer-based testing will be the main form of evaluation of progress among the students. In addition, typed assignment essays will be used to test specific aspects of the unit. Feedback will mainly be provided through direct communication between the students and the teachers. The instructors will closely guide the learners in order to meet the learner’s specific needs. Instructors will also give feedback on the students’ assignments and essays. This is in order to help the students correct any mistakes they may have made and to improve on their weak areas. They will also guide the students to achieve the learning outcomes of the course. Conclusion Online learning has become a very popular form of learning due to its numerous benefits. It offers a unique experience accommodating the three fundamental styles of learning namely kinesthetic, visual and auditory. It enables efficient training of an internationally spread audience. Moreover, e-learning reduces publishing as well as distribution costs. E-learning provides individualized instruction for learners unlike print media. In collaboration with proper needs assessment, e-learning is capable of targeting specific learning needs. Through the use of learning style tests, e-learning is also capable locating and targeting individual learning preferences. However, online learning must fully acknowledge the principles of good learning. It will have to incorporate a number of activities to ensure this good learning. These may include such activities as note taking, cueing and active learning that help in creasing retention. It must also apply the various theories of good learning to make it appropriate. Moreover, online learning must achieve the learning outcomes of the course being offered. References Armstrong, M (2006) A Handbook of Human Resource Management Practice, Kogan Page, London Fletcher, J (1991) E-learning, Multimedia Review, Spring Graziadei, W et al (1997) Building Asynchronous and Synchronous Teaching-Learning Environments, Sloan Consortium Karrer, T (2007) Understanding e-Learning, retrieved from www.learningcircuits.org, on May 15, 2009 Kearsley, G (1997) A guide to online education, retrieved from www.home.sprynet.com on October 10, 2005 Marzano, R (1998) A Theory-Based Meta-Analysis of Research on Instruction, Mid-continent Aurora, Colorado Read More