In-Person Versus Virtual Learning: How Virtual Learning Stacks Up?
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During the coronavirus pandemic, a vital area that suffered was learning and development. As thousands of businesses closed down, the priority of all business owners became ensuring business survival and continuity, and there was less focus on employee training and development. However, research has shown that 68% of employees say training and development is the company’s most important policy. Until last year, large firms held regular in-person learning both on-site and off-site for their employees. These sessions took place at least once a year and were very highly beneficial. Now, as we see a return to work, there can be a resumption of such activities.
However, during the pandemic, many leaders were impressed by the numerous advantages of virtual learning over in-person learning. This blog will mention a few of these advantages and show how virtual learning can be considered a permanent form of learning in today’s world.
What is In-person learning?
In-person learning describes traditional ILT (instructor-led training) where the trainer or facilitator is in the same room as the participants. Participants share ideas, learn and collaborate using conventional training methods such as table group discussions, flip-charting, role plays, and more.
What is Virtual learning?
vILT (virtual instructor-led training) is where the trainer is live, with participants remotely learning via Zooms, Microsoft Teams, WebEx, or another platform. Participants engage in the learning much as they would in an in-person learning and use technology tools such as chat, polls, surveys, and external collaboration tools such as Miro, Slack, ClickUp, Lucidspark and more.
What is Hybrid learning?
Hybrid learning is where participants are not restricted to attending a class (in-person learning) but can attend virtually. For example, in a corporate environment, employees designated to work from the office are combined with those assigned to work from home. Instructors, facilitators, and trainers conduct the session with both types of learners at the same time using tools such as video conferencing. In addition, program materials are available to both in-person and remote participants.
How is Virtual Better Than In-Person Learning?
In this section, we will see how virtual learning stacks up against in-person learning. Here are some advantages it offers to employees:
Flexibility in Timings
Employees are not bound by the 9 to 5 office timings to learn when online training programs are not live. For non-mandatory learning programs can quickly learn in their own free time and at their own pace. There is no pressure on them to learn then and there. Any employee can always ask the trainer or training coordinator for a recording of the session. Suppose they find it hard to keep up with the facilitator’s pace or need a refresher. In that case, the recordings become an incredible learning asset that can be stored for ongoing refresher and reference.
Flexibility in Movement
Virtual learning also offers excellent mobility and flexibility. Employees only need to be in a place that has a stable internet connection. There is no other restriction to virtual learning. If they only learn from offline content, then even a continuous internet connection is not necessary. The best part about online learning is that your employees can learn from anywhere in the world. They can also use almost any device for learning purposes, including smartphones, tablets, and laptops.
Less Expensive
Some in-person courses and training programs can cost a lot of money. Your employees can save a substantial amount by enrolling in online courses and training programs. Online learning reduces the need for buying hard copies of the learning material. All the material can be easily shared via email or through a learning management system. The company will also save on printing costs. Therefore, virtual learning is highly cost-effective for both businesses and employees.
Greater Accessibility
Almost anything can be accessed online in today’s world. Along with the regular course material, it is also possible to read up on different topics easily by touching a few buttons on a screen. Moreover, your employees will have access to top-notch training programs from the comfort of their homes. Grater accessibility also means that incapacitated people can have proper access to the same learning programs. Overall, virtual learning has enabled business owners to fulfill their learning and development goals much faster.
Maintains Accuracy and Consistency
Virtual learning programs can target a particular audience more accurately. Also, the content of the courses stays the same for all the learners, making it more consistent. It does not matter how many employees you have; the online training programs will deliver the same content to everyone. Thus, all the employees are provided with the same quality of knowledge. Moreover, online learning material can be revised much more quickly with up-to-date and accurate information.
Feedback and Criticism
Virtual learning also makes it easier for the training team and learners to provide and receive feedback. Some people are shy and hesitate to share feedback or giving comments in person. A virtual environment is an ideal one for them to learn. Also, employees can get their results almost immediately after completing an online course. Online assessment tools can tell the learner where they stand and compare them to other learners taking the same class.
Plenty of Support
There are numerous options available for virtual learning support. First, you can hire a company to design your learning programs for you. Our ID9 Custom Design services are ideal if you want the most effective training programs for your employees. You can hand over your content to us (in whatever state of completion) and leave it to our expert team of instructional designers to transform it into a sensational learning program that works. Moreover, we keep our customers involved at each stage of the program development. So, you don’t need to worry about anything when it comes to supporting you to develop high-impact learning within your organization.
How to Shift From In-person to Virtual Learning?
Before moving to a virtual environment, you need to first assess the learning situation you already have in your company. If learning was stopped during the pandemic, assess the situation before the pandemic started. Analyze all the in-person learning activities and think of ways to conduct them online effectively and efficiently. Also, think about various situations in which training is necessary.
Once you’ve determined the activities that can be shifted, you need to change the content to fit better with a virtual environment. Make your learning courses flexible so that it is easy for everyone to learn. Also, make sure the classes are suitable to meet the needs of all the employees in your company.
The Bottom Line
In this blog, you learned all about in-person learning versus virtual learning. You also discovered the benefits of virtual learning. It’s time to take your training programs to a digital platform. Suppose you want to improve your training programs and enhance the learning experience of your employees.
In that case, we suggest using a proven learning experience design system. ID9 Intelligent Design is the leader for corporate learning design that delivers high-impact results. Check it out on our website and also look at the rest of our solutions.
