Online vs Offline Tutoring

Traditionally learning has taken place in a classroom or any other appropriate learning environment, but there is now a new emergence of flipped classrooms (see my blog on blended learning) which begs us to ask the question ‘is online training better than offline training?’

There are arguments to both sides and this blog will explore the pros and cons of online and offline training.

Online Training

Advantages	Disadvantages
Online courses are cheaper	An internet connection is required
Convenience of home learning	Time consuming to maintain production of a changing syllabus
Greater flexibility	Multiple sources of technical errors
Engaging and interactive resources are more readily available
Accurate record keeping
Greater opportunity for record keeping

Offline Training

Advantages	Disadvantages
Compatible with on the job training	Often more expensive
Can be easily personalised	Less flexible, if a session is missed catching up is difficult
Immediate help is available	Manual record keeping is required
Having an expert in the room can easily adapt the teaching to cater for the individual	Inconvenience of travelling to the classroom/training room
The traditional method is more recognised worldwide and has proven results
A learning environment can be created which is more motivating and less distracting

 
In conclusion, it is clear to see that both online and offline training are valuable tools to the learning process, they both have the learner in mind when trying to create a stimulating learning process while avoiding unnecessary distraction. In my personal opinion I would use a combination of online and offline training techniques in order to full involve the learner in their learning experience. For more information on this, please refer to my blog on blended learning.