This presesentation was given at a Food 'N Thought Session on February 25, 2011 at The Academy of Human Resource Development (AHRD) International Conference in the Americas in Schaumburg, Illinois, USA

1. Virtual HRD, Technology and Distance Learning: A Discussion of Future Trends in HRD Practice and Research Presented at The Academy of Human Resource Development Conference in the Americas, Schaumburg, Illinois, USA February 25, 2011 Rochell R. McWhorter, ABD The University of Texas at Tyler and Texas A&M University Elisabeth E. Bennett, PhD Tufts Medical School and Baystate Health

2. Unveiling the new Advances Issue Advances in Developing Human Resources, Volume 12, Issue 6 December 2010 Table of Contents 1. Foreword: Reflections on Virtual HRD from a Scholar-Practitioner Darren Short 2. Exploring the Emergence of Virtual HRD Rochell McWhorter 3. The Ecology of Virtual HRD Elisabeth “Liz” Bennett & Laura Bierema 4. Harnessing and Optimal Utilization of Human Capital in Virtual Workplace Environments Fred Nafukho, Carroll Graham &Helen Muyia Measurement of Outcomes in Virtual Environments Diane Chapman & Sophia Stone A Study of Adult Learning in a Virtual World Donna Mancuso, Dominique Chlup & Rochell McWhorter 7. Managing Employees’ Motivation, Cognition, and Performance in Virtual Workplaces: The Blueprint of a Game-based Adaptive Performance Platform (GAPP) David Huang, Seung-Hyun Han, Un-Yeong Park & Jungmin Jamie Seo Systemizing Virtual Learning and Technologies by Managing Organizational Competency and Talents Seung Won Yoon and Doo Hun Lim 9. The Coming Paradigm Shift: Synthesis and Future Directions for Virtual HRD Elisabeth“Liz” Bennett

3. Forming a new SIG We wish to garner support for the formation of a new special interest group (SIG) for collaboration within AHRD for virtual HRD (VHRD), technology, and distance learning.

4. For More Information, Contact: Rochell R. McWhorter: rmcwhorter@uttyler.edu Elisabeth E. Bennett: elisabeth.bennett@bhs.org