Face-to-face Vs Online Training

Interaction and education: Face-to-face versus online training

When it comes to education, distance or online education has become an increasingly common alternative to classroom-based learning. With the rise in demand, more companies are providing online courses to their personnel.

The digital learning environment proves to have several advantages, such as the minimization of spatial barriers and increased flexibility. However, there also are concerns raised regarding the quality of education and the overall learning experience. Many researchers have found that online training and education are perceived to be less effective than the traditional face-to-face method of learning.

Although digital education may provide an excellent opportunity to access education, this method is not ideal for everyone. Experts have indicated that, among some of the most popular and successful companies globally, the most preferred form of training delivery is still face-to-face.

Benefits of face-to-face training

One of the key elements of the learning process is the dynamic relationship shared between a student and fellow students, and a student and the teacher. Face-to-face learning fosters these relationships; such dynamism may be minimized or lost when training is undertaken on a distance or online format.

Richness of information and memorable experiences are deduced through behaviour and body language, including one’s mannerisms, gestures, tone, language, and volume of voice. Face-to-face communication allows the entire experience to not only be heard but also seen and felt.

Distance education may adversely affect the quality of the training given because there are barriers to achieving the full extent of teacher-student interaction, thus making some learning objectives impossible to acquire.

Misleading advantages of online training

Many people over-estimate the cost-effectiveness of online training programs. The amount spent on the training course may not provide the commensurate amount of learning retained and experienced by participants. When crunching numbers, you may have to pay twice to retrain your staff or yourself, which makes the affordability and savings from online training insignificant.

According to “Videoconferencing in the Field: A Heuristic Processing Model,” a September 2008 article published in Management Science, professionals who participate in seminars via videoconferencing are more likely to pay attention to noneducational realities, such as the speaker’s likability rather than quality of presentation and arguments provided, as opposed to those who attend the activities in person.

Because online education provides flexibility and convenience, it may be best for individuals with demanding schedules and responsibilities and for students who require alternatives to formal educational arrangements. However, there are clear disadvantages to the process, including limited direct contact with both colleagues and professors and minimal opportunities to immerse oneself completely in the program.

No equal substitute

There is no doubt that digital education is valuable, but when it comes to training, face-to-face time remains incredibly vital. By actively seeing a trainer or expert convey passion about a topic, it ignites the same passion, better interest due to lack of distractions, and an increase in the likelihood of retention.

Not only will these training sessions ensure a better understanding and recall of the lessons and its content, the face-to-face element adds an opportunity for colleagues to bond, interact with one another, and increase their camaraderie. The in-person interaction includes the added value of being able to gain insight from other people and develop social linkages.

By retaining the physical face-to-face method of training, both companies and individuals will be able to take more from the experience both in terms of social skills and interaction, in addition to educational know-how.