Discover Which Training Option Is The Right Fit: Live Vs. Standard
More and more people want to do professional training appropriate to their job in order to help with career progression and, of course, the potential for a salary increase. Professional qualifications and evidence of continuing professional development (CPD) are essential in many industries to achieve the most senior roles. Widely recognized qualifications or accreditation can also help secure the job you would like, either within your current organization or another organization you aspire to join.
Yet with all the professional training available, in almost all industry sectors, you would be forgiven for thinking that there were only really two options for courses of study. Whilst classroom-based training is certainly still an option (for those areas not still socially distancing because of the coronavirus crisis), many people are looking for a way to fit their professional training around their busy work and home life without upsetting the delicate balance they already have.
Equally, some organizations with squeezed training budgets are reluctant to allow employees to take even a single day out of their busy day-to-day work for a course—let alone the 5 days that are required for many professional training courses.
Add to all that the fact that online training is almost always more cost-effective, and it's not difficult to see why online training courses have seen a rise in popularity over recent years. With live online training now becoming increasingly popular as well, there are plenty of training options available that are sure to suit most people—and most budgets.
But if you are considering an online option for your training, you may be confused about which type would work best for you. Certainly, not all online training is created equal, so read on for a basic overview of the differences between standard and live online training.
What Is Live Online Training?
Classes that are live online, sometimes referred to as synchronous events, take place in a live virtual meeting room. Here the teacher or course instructor and the students come together to learn. They can communicate with each other using video, voice, and whiteboards. To take part in live online training, everyone needs to be online at the same set time. This time is set in advance and everyone needs to ensure that they are equipped for an online learning course with a quiet space and the appropriate technology in place. Essentially, this type of training is as close to a more traditional class-based session as you can get but from the comfort of your own chosen venue.
What Is A Standard Online Training Course?
Standard online courses are those that are delivered asynchronously. This means that the student is free to do the learning at their own pace (self-paced learning) and there is no real-time tutor. All of the course content (lessons, tutorials, quizzes and tests, pre-recorded lectures on video, assignments, and any homework) is accessible by students at any point during the course.
Some standard online courses may contain an element of live study as well, usually in the form of meetings or classes. This will give the students an opportunity to “talk” with their tutor and discuss any issues.
Which One Should I Choose?
If you are the type of person who is disciplined enough to be able to study independently without a set timetable, then you may find that a standard online course will work well for you. However, if you need the structure of a set-out timetable that you will need to follow in order to complete the course, then a live online course would be a better choice, as you have to log in at set times in order to access the work.
Remember, that in any professional role not knowing something is no longer an option, so the most important thing to focus on is completing your training, whatever the format in which it is delivered. Being up-to-date and staying up-to-date with the latest thinking, tools, and techniques in your industry are more important than how you took an individual training course.
Ultimately, the choice of course is least important, choosing one that works best for you depends on whether you can work on your own or need more of a supervised structure.
