Module Information for BHM351, 2017/8 - APPROVED

Module Title/Name: Learning & Talent Development Module Code: BHM351

School: Aston Business School Module Type: Standard Module

New Module? No Module Credits: 15

Module Management Information

Module Leader Name Luke Fletcher

Email Address fletchl1@aston.ac.uk

Telephone Number 4213

Office South Wing SW8-021

Additional Module Tutor(s):

Luke Fletcher. (fletchl1@aston.ac.uk, South Wing SW8-021)

Programmes in which available:

Level Description: MSc Human Resource Management and Business. MSc
Masters in Organisational Behaviour. MSc in Work Psychology
and Business. MSc in Business and Management.

Contributing School & Subject Groups (and %): Credit Value & ECTS Credits:
None Specified 7.5

Available to Exchange Students?

Module Dependencies

Pre-requisites: Co-requisites:
None Specified None Specified

Prohibited Combinations:
None Specified

Module Learning Information

Module Aims:
The module aims to share the latest evidence-based knowledge with students regarding different aspects of learning and talent
development in organisations. It aims to raise awareness of how different management functions can be enhanced through human
resource development (HRD) initiatives and how HRD relates to business strategy and effectiveness. This will enable students to
develop a good understanding of learning, training and development in different settings and contexts and they will then apply their
learning to a case study organisation.
 Module Learning Outcomes:
By the end of the module, course participants will be able to:- To engage critically with academic theory underpinning strategic
human resource development/learning and talent development. To explain and evaluate the relevance of these theories to
business practice. To design a training intervention that is aligned with business strategy and demonstrates constructive alignment
using the systematic training cycle.

Indicative Module Content:

The module will cover the following topic areas: the nature of knowledge, skills, and abilities within the workplace and how these
are shaped by the (inter)national labour market context; the psychological processes of learning and skill acquisition; the changing
orientations of organisations towards learning, human resource development, and talent management; the systematic training
cycle and the evaluation of training and development programmes. 

International Dimensions:
The module examines issues like cross culturalism and globalisation and places them in a context of L & D in organizations. The
module includes criticism of dominant Western approaches by drawing on the knowledge and experience of module tutors as well
as course participants themselves. The ethnic composition of the cohort is frequently diverse. Some students have had experience
of managing or being part of L & D activity overseas and participants are encouraged to share their insights with the wider group.

Corporate Connections:
The module will utilise a range of organisational case studies and will include input, in some form, from L&D practitioners.

Ethical Approval:
No primary research is expected on this module

Links to Research:
The module will encompass relevant research carried out within the Work & Organizational Psychology Group; for example,
organizational learning and the role of HR practices, perceptions of training and personal development and the psychological
processes that link these to employee outcomes.

Ethics, Social Responsibility and Sustainability:

The module deals with the issue of learning and talent development and therefore discusses the role of the LTD to the
psychological contract, employee wellbeing and the good of society overall. The analysis of the systematic training cycle has
implications for professional HRD standards and is considered good practice in intervention design - yielding benefits for multiple
stakeholders.

Module Delivery

Methods of Delivery & Learning Hours (by each method):

Learning
Method of Delivery
Hours

Lecture: 11 hours

Seminar: 7 hours

External Professional/Clinical
3 hours
Practice:

Practical: 20 hours

Independent Study: 108 hours

Formative Assessment: 1 hours

Total Learning Hours: 150 hours

Learning & Teaching Rationale:

Each three hour session will consist of a taught lecture and student activity sessions including buzz groups and Q&A sessions and
workshops. Students will be encouraged to bring their own experiences to the class and to discuss the key factors which shape
learning, training and development in their own context. This course is designed to develop the student's critical awareness of the
definitions and the changing nature of skill as well as diverse employee and employer expectations. These factors are important
considerations when evaluating the theoretical underpinnings of training design and delivery and students will have an opportunity
to put some of these theories and broader considerations into practice using case study data, designing their own strategically
 aligned training interventions and presenting their ideas to their classmates.

Module Assessment

Methods of Assessment & associated weighting (including approaches to formative assessment as well as summative):

Common
Duration/ Modules/
Assessment Assessment
Category Submission Exempt from
Type Weight
Date Anonymous
Marking

Individual
Coursework 12/Mar/2018 No 100%
Assignment

Part One: Individual Report (60% of mark) - 2,000 words You are leading a
team of Learning and Talent Development Consultants and your brief is to
design a learning intervention for an organisation of your choice following
the systematic training cycle. You need to be aware of the political nature
of the organisation and its strategic environment and link the training
intervention to the organisations strategic mission. All elements of the
systematic training cycle need to be considered. You need to pay close
attention to any barriers that might impact this learning intervention and
offer possible solutions to these. The report you provide is a ?pitch? to the
Details organisation to demonstrate your expertise and to win the contract for the
training intervention. Part Two: Individual Essay (40% of mark) - 1,500
words It is important that the L&TD community are aware of, and consider,
how the wider political, economic, social, and technological context
influences L&TD practice. You are required to focus on ONE of the four
dimensions of context (political, economic, social, technological) and
discuss how that dimension of context may influence L&TD practice within
the UK context over the next five to ten years. You should draw upon
relevant, up-to-date research, theory, and evidence to inform your
answer.

Total: 100%

Method of Submission:
Electronic Copy Only

Assessment Rationale:
The assessment for the module is based on
a) an individual report (2,000 words)
b) an assessed essay (1,500 words)

The individual report is aimed at encouraging students to apply what they have learned in lectures to a case study organisation of
their choice. This will involve critical reflection of the learning cycle and an understanding of corporate strategy and the needs of
the focal organisation. It will give students a chance to consider the different learning theories and delivery methods and to
evaluate the extent to which these are suited to specific organisations and/or learning cohorts. Thus, the individual report helps the
development of professional and intellectual skills,enables students to demonstrate their knowledge but also assists in the
development of the range of transferable skills.
The assessed essay is aimed at encouraging students to demonstrate their critical skills, their engagement with literature and their
knowledge and understanding of the more theoretical aspects of the course, particularly with understanding the more critical
contextual aspects of L&TD practice.

Feedback Rationale:
Formative assessment and feedback will take place during lectures and workshops where students will be provided with feedback
on their ideas and their discussions

Module Teaching Frequency, Room & AV Requests

Room & AV Requirements:

No AV Requirements Specified
Flat space or lecture theatre with lecturer
Teaching Frequency: Specialist Software in IT Labs:
centrally placed. Some sessions may require
None Specified None Specified
breakout rooms so that groups of students can
work on case studies and other relevant group
activities.