BLENDED SOLUTION - PUSH TECHNOLOGY

This programme uses a blended solution approach. A central element of the approach is the use of a web-enabled system to deliver study material and instructions for the submission of responses to study tasks to students.

This blended solution uses the HRD Online system utilising the internet to access the programmes. This system is also used by such organisations as the University of Hull, the Chartered institute of Personnel & Development, the Chartered Management Institute, the Institute of Commercial Management, the Institute of Leadership & Management for delivery of blended programmes.

The blended solution approach is achieved through provision of study material online; the involvement of an online tutor; attendance at skills and study workshops; completion of work-based assignments; formal assessments of levels of knowledge and skills including simulations and examination.

STUDENT ACCESS

Students are provided with unique usernames and passwords and log onto their individual programmes directly via the web.

Programmes have been designed so that students are sent email links to the site on a scheduled basis. The first email advises the student of their username, password, and conditions of use and contains a link to the HRD website from which they can access their studies. And subsequent emails either advise of:

a) a module phase which has been opened, or
b) a learning unit which is available, or
c) a learning bite which can be downloaded, or
d) an work-related exercise, assignment, or learning log which is due, or
e) a general reminder regarding the advised schedule and progress

DISCIPLINED APPROACH

Once registered on a particular element of the programme, the student will receive a link to one learning unit each working day. The student can, outside of this delivery, access learning units within a module at any time. They are not able to move to the next module however without the tutor releasing access permission.

DOWNLOADS

Additional study material documents, learning logs, and work-related exercise logs are able to be downloaded within each learning unit.

LINKS

The system uses the worldwide web as a reference library. At various stages throughout the programme, links are attached via learning units to pages of web sites deemed to be relevant to the learning objectives of a specific learning unit and/ or programme.

STUDY MATERIAL AND PRACTICAL LEARNING

The study material contains a number of elements:

• material relevant to the overall theme of the programme and specific to the unit’s learning outcomes
• reference sources and guidance towards additional suggested sources of learning in order to enhance understanding
• suggested post-study activities aimed at using underpinning knowledge to improve sales effectiveness
• specific work-related exercises to be submitted at the end of a learning unit to validate learning
• learning logs which offer both a reflective process and confirm learning outcomes
• work-based assignments which ensure transference of learning to the workplace
• end of programme assignments which ensure continuous learning and application of learned knowledge and skills
• one of the over-riding purposes of this programme is the transference of learning to the workplace