The effectiveness of technology delivered instruction in teaching Human Resource Management

Abstract

In this study, the effectiveness of a technology delivered instruction (TDI), the Human Resource Management simulation, was investigated using a within-subjects design. Sixty-nine upper level undergraduate management students at a mid-Atlantic university in the U.S. completed the Human Resource Competency measure twice, once at the beginning of the semester and again at the end of the semester. Their HR competency improved by 40% at the end of the semester. In addition, the gain in HR competency was positively related to both HRM simulation and HR exam performance. However, student reaction to the simulation in terms of their post-training self-efficacy was not related to the HRM simulation performance. Female students performed significantly lower than did male students on the HRM simulation suggesting that females might be disadvantaged in the increasing popularity of TDI in higher education and industry human resource training and development. Discussion was offered in relation to competency-based teaching practices and future research.