Objective
This guide will answer the questions like difference between online training and classroom training, which one is best suited for you, how learning is revolutionised with live online training, what are issues with conventional classroom training and online training, what are the offerings provided by online/virtual-classroom training which cannot be provided by classroom training
With the rapid evolution in technology, mode of education has changed a lot. From traditional classroom learning, people have started switching to online virtual training these days.
Difference Between Classroom Training & Online Training
At first time several questions come in mind regarding online training like how online training is taken, whether I will be able to attend it and learn through it, how will I be able to do practicals, how will I interact with the instructor and so on. Let’s see some of the key features of online training and difference between classroom verses online training.
Online learning is very flexible. When we think of learning online, asynchronous activities such as presentations and quizzes appears in mind first. But there is another side to online learning and that’s the live, synchronous element.
In some ways, live online classes are similar to traditional classroom training where a teacher presents information and interact with people in real time but in other ways, there are some major differences between the two. Let’s try to understand them.
| Features | Classroom Learning | Online Learning |
|---|---|---|
| Best suited for | College students pursuing graduation | Industry professionals |
| Ultimate objective | Learning | Job readiness |
| Type of learning | Traditional method of learning | virtual classroom / live online learning |
| Placement assistance | Negligible | From resume to interview preparation |
| Course Access duration | Access is limited to duration of course, usually 1-2 months | Unlimited, Lifetime Access |
| Instructors | Local instructor is hired for providing training. He might not be the best in the industry | Best instructor is selected from pan country to provide best education to students |
| Instructor Expertise | Usually freelancers are hired, as working professionals don’t have time to travel to provide classroom training | Experts working in leading industries are hired, who can share their real-life experience |
| Training level | Trainings are conducted at basic theoretical level | As provided by industry experts the level of training is very high. Practicals and real-life use cases are covered in great details |
| Quality of Projects | Simple, standard copy book data sets | Real-life industry use case with live data sets |
| Convenience level | Less convenient as need to travel even after tough schedule or may miss things if you need to travel or busy with job | Most convenient as classes can be taken from comfort of your home or even while travelling without missing anything |
| Pace of learning | Very rigid system, scheduled classes | Completely customized, as per your needs |
| Doubt clearance | Dependent on instructor and no assistance after the course | Apart from instructor, support team is available to resolve all your doubts |
| Training from Future perspective | Sessions are not recorded. So revision in future becomes difficult unless notes are properly maintained in hard copy | Sessions are recorded to view in future |
| Study Material | Need to be prepared by students when instructor is teaching. Anything missed during classes is lost forever. | Students are provided course recordings and complete study material which are convenient in handling for future reference |
| Missed Sessions | If a session is missed, it will be very difficult to understand next session. There is no way to attend missed session | If a session is missed, you can watch recording before the next session. Also you can attend missed session in batch running in parallel |
| Time utilization | More time is wasted as need to travel daily to attend classes | More time saving as can be attended from anywhere at scheduled time |
| Level of individual attention | No limit to number of students which provides limited individual attention | Limited number of candidates in a batch which helps in greater individual attention |
| Guidance to Students | Less likely to cover in personalized form, often becomes more of general discussion; | Very personalized and focused guidance is given to individuals for their work |
| Types of media used | Traditional teaching tools are used such as blackboard writing,, etc | Modern teaching tools are used, such as multimedia, animation, 3D modelling, images, graphs etc. |
| Training schedule | Schedule is fixed and pre-decided | Schedule can be flexible, according to the needs of both teacher and students. |
| Class duration | Class duration is fixed and usually not extendable, as the next class waits to use the classroom. | Class duration is easily extendable as per the convenience of students |
| Variety of students | Students generally fall within a similar age, profession, or academic background in classroom training | Student composition may vary greatly in age, profession, academic background and places as it is taken by students across the globe at same time |
| Class type | Classes are typically teacher–driven and teacher-centric. | Virtual classrooms allow students more freedom to create, experiment, explore and steer the class. |
| Learning environment | Learning environment can be dull to maintain discipline in the class | Learning environment can be stimulating and fun. Different tools allow the teacher to easily control the training |
| Collaboration | Collaboration of Teacher and students takes place in physical classroom. | Collaboration of Teachers and students is online via audio, video, and text chat. |
| Students evaluation | Tests and manually-graded assignments are used for evaluation which is Time-consuming. | Online tests, live quiz, practical assignments are conducted for evaluation which results in quick and accurate results |
| Interaction between instructor and students | Interactive Face to Face training | Interactive via web conferencing |