In-person or online (e-learning)? It’s a debate as old as time…ok, not really that old. At i4C, we recommend a balanced approach to creating a comprehensive and effective training program. Here is why!
Personal Interaction – in-person training allows you to be face-to-face with your team members allowing for immediate feedback and the opportunity to ask questions directly. For new hires in particular, this creates a more welcoming and engaging learning environment, including social learning and collaboration. However, if you are training the same material routinely in person, you may not be making the most efficient use of your time.
Customization – E-learning solutions allow you to customize content and develop individualized learning paths. This will enable employees to learn at their own pace, focus on content relevant to them, and revisit the content as needed. In-person training programs are typically a “one size fits all” scenario, which doesn’t always address the unique needs of each employee.
Cost & Accessibility – While there is an upfront investment in E-learning, it often proves more cost-effective and accessible than in-person training. Consider how travel expenses, venue rentals, instructor fees, and more are all eliminated with e-learning. E-learning also enables employees to access training materials from anywhere!
Retention & Engagement – While e-learning solutions offer features like gamification that help contribute to higher engagement and retention levels, a balanced in-person and online approach generally shows better results, keeping employees motivated to learn and progress.
Ultimately, the choice between e-learning and in-person training depends on factors such as the nature of the content, the target audience, available resources, and organizational goals. You can learn more about different e-learning strategies on the i4C Learn page.