In-person vs. online learning: Which one is better?

No matter how long your employees have been in their roles, it’s clear that learning doesn’t stop once they graduate from school. Several years and a global pandemic later, there have been major changes in workplace learning.

From navigating face-to-face to remote and hybrid meetings, finding the right learning environment for your team can be tricky. But don’t worry, we’re here to help! This article explores the definitions, benefits, and disadvantages of in-person vs online learning, along with some tips to maximize your workplace learning initiatives.

Why do learning formats matter in the workplace?

The key to nurturing an agile team is to promote a culture of continuous learning in the workplace. By investing in your employees’ growth, you can give them the confidence to carry out their tasks confidently. This not only helps you stay ahead of your competitors, but it also enhances productivity and employee satisfaction.

There are two popular learning formats: in-person and online learning. To help you select the best option for your team, let’s explore the pros and cons of each below.

What is in-person learning?

The first learning style is in-person learning. This refers to the traditional classroom style of learning, where an instructor facilitates the discussion for the day. Interactions happen face-to-face, so your employees can easily form new connections.

From physical classroom settings to on-the-job training and workshops, there are different methods of in-person learning. Below are its common types:

• Classroom-based learning: Similar to the traditional school setting, this type requires in-person attendance. The instructor lays out the schedule and topics for the day so the learners know what to expect.
• Workshops: These smaller, structured sessions focus on sparking engagement among participants. A speaker initially facilitates the discussion before learners split into groups to discuss what they’ve learned.
• On-the-job training (OJT): This hands-on learning experience involves a more experienced employee offering training to a group of new hires or co-workers with a lesser background in the job.

Benefits of in-person learning

There’s a reason why in-person learning has been the prevailing mode of instruction for decades. Discover the top benefits of choosing in-person learning vs online for your team:

• Hands-on learning: In-person learning is the best choice for jobs that require practical application. Your employees are involved in every step of the process, which helps them digest the information better. In-person vs online learning statistics reveal that 70% of employees pick up their skills on the job.
• Social engagement: Nothing beats physical interaction when it comes to learning. Being surrounded by fellow employees allows your team to reflect on the topics deeper, identify skill gaps, and build meaningful relationships.
• Immediate support: Every learner enjoys the privilege of receiving immediate assistance. Plus, they can quickly connect with the instructor and peers in person. This fosters a sense of community that goes beyond the learning workspace.

Disadvantages of in-person learning

Keep in mind that in-person learning has its disadvantages too. Here are the top factors to consider if you’re planning to pursue this learning method:

• Time constraints: Due to its fixed schedule, in-person learning may not be a flexible choice for global teams or members who live far away from the office.
• More expensive: This requires a bigger budget, considering you need to hire a qualified instructor and find a suitable location to hold your training. Additionally, equipment such as speakers, projectors, and snacks adds to the growing expense. 
• Lesser personalization: In-person learning favors the group’s success over a single employee, which means there are fewer chances to personalize the training program. This poses a problem for learners struggling to keep up with the rest of the team.

What is online learning?

The second learning style is online learning. Also known as eLearning, this refers to any kind of learning delivered through the Internet. Online learning became widespread during the COVID-19 pandemic when schools and businesses couldn’t operate normally due to public health concerns.

From self-paced modules to virtual classrooms, this workplace learning style comes in many forms. Below are the common types of eLearning:

• Synchronous online learning: Communication happens in a virtual classroom hosted by platforms like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or Google Meet. Each learner is expected to log in at the group’s agreed time. 
• Asynchronous online learning: Everyone can complete their modules and assessments based on their preferred schedule. This relies on self-paced courses, discussion forums, or pre-recorded lectures.
• Blended learning: This combines eLearning content with traditional face-to-face instructional methods, presenting wider opportunities for learners to participate in the discussions.
• Microlearning: Lessons are broken down into small chunks for better knowledge absorption. Also called bite-sized learning, each module can usually be finished in under five minutes.
• Mobile learning: As the name suggests, this uses a mobile device to facilitate training. This is ideal for teams on the go who can’t bring their laptops everywhere.

Benefits of online learning

There are numerous benefits to online learning. If you’re leaning toward this option, here are the top three reasons to consider:

• Flexibility: The greatest advantage of online learning is that your teams can complete their training at their own pace. This is perfect for global teams with opposite time zones, or those who live far away from the workplace. A remote setup saves them from long hours spent in commute.
• Diverse learning opportunities: Online learning exposes your team to courses designed by international subject experts. Depending on the industry, there may be specialized courses that aren’t available locally. 
• Cost-effective: Some online courses are completely free, so you don’t have to worry about hiring instructors to train your staff. Additionally, most eLearning development platforms offer discounts for bulk learners.

Disadvantages of online learning

Keep in mind that online learning also has its drawbacks. Here are the top three factors to keep in mind when choosing online vs in-person learning:

• Increased distractions: With no instructor in the room, your learners are exposed to various distractions. And since the materials are online, they may be tempted to switch tabs or scroll through social media instead.
• Stable Internet connection: Most courses require a stable internet to access the materials and assignments. This creates a huge problem if your workers live in areas with frequent power disruptions.
• Digital literacy: Online learning is a learning curve for those who aren’t as tech-savvy. You may need to offer tutorials to some of your workers to make sure they can access the learning platform and its materials on time.

How to select the right learning format for your team

Now that you’re aware of the different pros and cons of in-person vs online learning, it’s up to you to decide which method suits your team best. To help you narrow down your selection process, take into consideration the following:

1. Identify your team’s needs

To cultivate a flexible training program for your team, it’s important to reflect on their unique needs first. A training needs assessment can help with this. It’s an organized system to determine your team’s current and desired performance and how to guide your team through the process.

By locating the gaps between your team’s present skills and performance, you can gain a clear picture of which areas you need to work on and the resources necessary to supply those needs.

2. Assess learning preferences

While it only takes a quick Google search to brainstorm ideas for your training program, don’t forget to factor in your team’s learning preferences! Remember, there’s no such thing as a uniform learning style.

As each team member analyzes information differently, you want to build an inclusive learning environment so that nobody feels left out. Consider gathering them for a quick meeting or rolling out surveys through your group channel to get a pulse of everyone’s thoughts.

3. Evaluate training content

Once you’ve finalized your training content, the next step is to evaluate the materials. Ask yourself whether the lessons are best suited for hands-on or self-paced learning. Ultimately, it depends on the depth of the material, as some may require more practical interactions than others. Alternatively, there may be topics that can be acceptably delivered online.

4. Consider logistics and resources

The last step is to consider your company’s current logistics and resources. As mentioned earlier, one disadvantage of in-person learning is that it can be costly to organize. If you lack the resources or your members prefer to learn on their own, don’t worry, as there are a variety of free online courses to choose from.

Regardless of your choice, make sure that your entire team is on board with the decision. This will make it easier to carry out your training content in the future.

Revolutionize workplace learning with SC Training

With the right tools, you can kickstart a culture of continuous workplace learning today. Fortunately, we’ve found a learning management system that lets you enjoy the benefits of both modes.

Meet SC Training (formerly EdApp), a dedicated microlearning platform that combines the best of in-person and online learning. It’s the perfect choice for onboarding and upskilling your team. Whether you work in construction, healthcare, retail, or logistics, it offers a variety of blended learning examples that you can customize to your liking. Discover some of the platform’s best features:

• Gamification: Training programs don’t have to be boring. With game-like courses broken down into digestible chunks of information, you’ll never have to fight short attention spans. You can choose from 80+ pre-built templates to add gamification to your training courses.
• Group Training: Track learner attendance straight from your phone. This feature only requires your members to scan the QR code to mark themselves as present for the day, making it easy to track each learner’s progress during audits.
• Create with AI: Harness the power of artificial intelligence today. Say goodbye to mindblocks and long hours staring at a blank canvas. With this AI-powered course creator tool, generating course content only takes one click of a button. Simply enter a prompt into the box and wait for the magic to unfold.
• Practical Assessments: Evaluate your team’s skills and progress onsite with this in-person assessment tool. No need for paper checklists! You’ll only need to scan each member’s QR code to access their digital training data. You can customize the sections, leave comments, and mark them as pass or fail—all in real time.

Explore the benefits of in-person and online learning for your team today. Join SC Training for free.