PE7060 - Learning and Development in Organisations

What will I learn on this module?

This module will introduce the psychological theory and empirical evidence behind the learning and career development of individuals in a work context. You will learn and evaluate theories of career development, lifelong learning, occupational choice, training, employability and coaching. You will develop an appreciation of applied approaches taken by individuals and organisations to develop careers and discuss their effectiveness. A broad organisational perspective will be taken to employee development which includes contemporary issues affecting careers. You will reflect critically upon the theoretical and empirical literature by applying this to real world scenarios, developing an appreciation of the psychological processes which can impact upon career.

How will I learn on this module?

The module is delivered entirely online via our electronic learning platform (elp). You will interact with a range of materials on the module site. The module home page provides you with quick access to detailed information about the module in an interactive, easily accessible format. This is designed to broach new, and challenging information, and to provide breadth and depth of conceptual knowledge on contemporary organisational activity. The teaching materials support your learning. Each session delivers flexible, interactive learning materials, accessible in a variety of formats such as audio and video presentations. Tasks to extend and test your learning are interspersed within the learning materials. A range of different tasks, with formative feedback, are aimed at supporting your learning. In addition to this you will be encouraged to utilise peer to peer support opportunities through the use of eLP supported platforms for interaction. Each session is supported by directed reading from the core texts accessed through the electronic reading list.

How will I be supported academically on this module?

You will be an autonomous, self-motivated learner within a supportive distance learning environment. You will be introduced to the module by the module tutor in an introductory video. The online module sessions and interactive tasks form the cornerstone for supporting you during your study. Academic support is available from the teaching team and each session includes a link to enable you to email a question directly to the tutor from within the session. Responses will be fed back either directly or via the module discussion board. In advance of each assessment a video presentation is uploaded to support you in your preparation for this session. This is followed by an online live question and answer session prior to submission of your assessed work. Focused academic support coupled with timely formative and summative feedback should enable you to meet your full academic potential within this module.

Feedback from the summative assessment will be made available 20 working days after submission through the eLP portal.

What will I be expected to read on this module?

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.

What will I be expected to achieve?

Knowledge & Understanding:
• MKU1: You will critically evaluate approaches to learning and/or career development within an organisational context
• MKU2: You will utilise an evidence base to critically evaluate learning and/or career development interventions

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
• MIPSA1: You will be expected to demonstrate skills relevant to learning and career development in organisations to enhance professional competence


Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
• MPVA1: You will be asked to consider a number of ethical and professional issues surrounding learning and development in an organisational context
• MPVA2: You will be encouraged to critically reflect upon your own learning and career development experiences by applying the theories to real world scenarios

How will I be assessed?

Formative Assessment:
You will participate in discussion activities and individual learning where you will apply the skills learned as part of the module. Examples include group presentations and working with fellow students to discuss their and your career development and aspirations, applying the theory learned through lecture material. Feedforward will be utilised by the module tutor to help your skills development and peer feedback will be encouraged as part of the process. Self-assessment and reflection will also be encouraged utilising tools taught as part of the module content such as reflective logs, employability questionnaires etc. Where appropriate written feedback will also be provided by the module tutor to identify ways to support skill development and employability enhancement. (MIPSA 1; MPVA 2)


Summative Assessment:
You will produce a 4000 word case study report based upon a real-world scenario will provide the opportunity for you to demonstrate your achievement of learning outcomes MKU1, MKU2, MIPSA 1, MPVA 1 and MPVA 2.

Pre-requisite(s)

Carousel 1 must be completed prior to commencing this module:
PE7056 The Organisation
PE7057 Organisational Research Methods
PE7058 Employee Selec

Co-requisite(s)

None

Module abstract

This module aims to provide you with a broad understanding of how learning and development occurs within a career and organisational context. You will learn about various approaches to learning and career development, such as coaching and training and will evaluate their effectiveness in achieving individual and organisational goals such as return on investment. Academic literature and applied case studies will be utilised to encourage discussion and debate of contemporary employee learning and development issues. Ethical and professional issues encountered by practitioners and researchers will also be discussed. This module will not only enable a greater understanding of issues in the workplace but will also develop an appreciation of contemporary career theory applied to you as a student on the programme and in the pursuit of employability.

Course info

Credits 20

Level of Study Postgraduate

Mode of Study 2 years Part Time (Distance Learning)
2 other options available

Department Psychology

Location City Campus, Northumbria University

City Newcastle

Start October 2025

Fee Information

Module Information

All information is accurate at the time of sharing. 

Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.  

Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.

 

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