Elevating HR Tech Education through Hybrid, Authentic, and Micro-Reflective Learning (HAuReL) for Digital Excellence

Abstract

Human Resource (HR) education faces a persistent challenge in bridging the gap between theoretical instruction and the practical digital competencies required in today’s technology-driven workplace. Traditional pedagogical models often fail to equip students with applied skills in real-world training technologies, limiting their workforce readiness. This study addresses this gap by introducing the Hybrid, Authentic, and Micro-Reflective Learning (HAuReL) framework which an instructional model designed to integrate hybrid delivery, authentic learning tasks, and micro-reflective practices into HR training and development courses. Grounded in the Context-Sensitive Activity-Centred Design Framework, Authentic Learning Framework, and Reflective Learning Theory, HAuReL was implemented over 14 weeks in a quasi-experimental design involving 127 undergraduate HR students. The study aimed to evaluate HAuReL’s effectiveness in improving two key outcomes which are academic learning performance and digital skills competency. Findings revealed that students exposed to HAuReL achieved significantly higher academic performance compared to those in traditional learning settings. While improvements in digital competencies were observed, they did not yield statistically significant differences, suggesting a need for more context-sensitive assessment tools. These results demonstrate the potential of the HAuReL framework to address long-standing pedagogical gaps in HR education by aligning learning with real-world digital training environments and reflective practices.