Teaching Human Resource Development to Human Resource Management Students: Cultivating the Blending of Management Development Methods in the Online Learning Environment

Abstract

Historically from the time of the Hawthorne Studies to 21st century, most managerial and business programs of study have focused on the management of employees. However, as businesses and industries have evolved over the years, the needs of employers, as well as the skills of employees have changed. Consequently, there has been a strong focus on employees in a marketplace today which is competing with a shrinking workforce, as predicted by the Hudson Institute [1]. It was predicted that the 21st workforce would have more minorities, people with disabilities, and more females. As more Baby Boomers have retired, American businesses have affected by the shrinking workforce, new employees with limited skills and experience, and changing technology which require a workforce with the ability to think more than physical work for the accomplishment of their organization’s goals. Since the inception of the newer field of Human Resource Development (HRD) founded by Dr. Leonard Nadler, more Human Resource Management (HRM)programs have been incorporating certification and program concentrations in the field of HRD. This paper will focus on the teaching of HRD within HRM programs in terms of blending management teaching methods with the use of the online learning environment.