Comments on: Is Classroom Training More Credible than Online Training?

By: Brother Andrew

Brother Andrew — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 04:03:28 +0000

Thanks for the comment Rich. I’d agree that the question should go deeper however we often don’t have this luxury from our companies and/or clients. They are making snap judgements and have opinions one way or the other. I guess it’s up to us to help them understand the different pros/cons and variables. Thanks for the comment!

By: Rich Grenhart

Rich Grenhart — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 02:51:18 +0000

Wrong question! A better, but more difficult to answer question, would involve the variables of the content being taught and the learning style of the learners. The flaw in the logic of the question is viewing education and training as a product rather than a process. An asocial, linear, concrete learner who is being taught a linear subject (algebra, for example) might do well (even best) learning on line. As David Kolb points out, there are different learning styles, however.

Then there is the concept of parallel process between the content and the method of teaching (or practicing what you preach). Teaching aspects of emotional intelligence, relationship development, communication or leadership online, for example, would not only contradict the content emphasizing rapport-building and the value of the relationship, it would significantly reduce the opportunity for experiential or action learning. Even in the Commercial Lending Industry, there is value in these subject areas. Limiting their training to e-learning would be comparable to teaching an adolescent how to drive from a book only.

By: HW Bud Brown

HW Bud Brown — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:25:30 +0000

As a trainer, for years I have avoided offering on-line training because in any group of adult students (the only kind I teach) there will be some who try to monopolize the class and some who try to fade into the background. When I am physically present, I can help the former to be more of a constructive aspect of the group and draw the latter into discussions. I fear that with web courses, the more enthusiastic participants will feel less involved and the more reserved people won’t engage at all.
This will make my training less effective no matter how much effort I put in and no matter how good the material.
Having said this, I am about to do a webinar for the Ontario General Contractors Association (in a few weeks) and the interactive nature of this medium has me re-thinking the possibilities for participant engagement over the web.

By: Jeanne Tapp

Jeanne Tapp — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 14:33:45 +0000

My former organization did both on-line and live training. I can easily say both were effective due to the ‘skills demonstrated’ element which occurred AFTER on-line training. Mentorship with discussions and demonstration of skills is a key element of effective training of any kind whether it’s on-line or live.

With companies finding more effective ways to spend resources on-line training can be a very positive and less expensive tool.
Yes, this requires attentiveness from direct supervisors to monitor the success of training, but shouldn’t that element be present any way?

By: jonathan

jonathan — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 09:14:41 +0000

Nice piece.But I will take issue with Marie.

I agree that online training can be perceived as “just reading” – we have had people say to us “Is it just click slides?”

No training can be guaranteed to be effective – maybe the classroom trainers leave everyone with such a nice “warm” luvvy feeling that it MUST have done us some good.

By: Prabha Muthukrishnan

Prabha Muthukrishnan — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 00:51:53 +0000

I feel the classroom is definitely more credible and forceful than inline training. The personal presence of the teacher has great impact. Body language , voice modulation and facial expressions are vital.The trainer can help students with their individual problems . Online teaching is just a substitute.

By: Marie-Therese Le Roux

Marie-Therese Le Roux — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 13:10:31 +0000

Well said.

The last point, “online training is just reading”, may be the key factor. If and when this is true, it is not necessarily the online learning alumni that are to blame, but the course designers and tutors.

Online learning is still new to most, and is often misunderstood. While online learning offers many new possibilities, sound principles of learning cannot be abandoned. Designing and administering a quality online course is a special skill, and one for which the guidelines are still being discovered. Pioneers are at risk of making mistakes, and one of these is simply forgetting that learner rapport and participation are as vital as ever.

The bottom line is that online training cannot be guaranteed to be effective. But hey, neither can any other delivery method. In the end, it depends on the course itself, the way it is executed, and ultimately, how learners/participants exploit it for their own learning.