Virtual classroom Learning:

1. Flexible Schedule / Environment

When you study online, you can choose the best place to learn, whether in the office, at home or even at a café across the street. This form of learning allows flexibility in your schedule and environments, making this more accessible and inclusive as the teaching can be personalised to consider business and individual needs.

2. Time and Cost Efficiency

Online learning reduces for the individual, as there’s no need to travel to a learning environment or make any specific arrangements. This can also reduce business costs as this teaching method is time and cost-effective. This can reduce interruptions or distractions within the class, allowing more time to be utilised within practical tasks to help embed learning.

3. Responsible and Self-discipline

The virtual classroom can support learners in developing their self-motivation and time management skills, as you spend a lot of time alone and need to monitor your own deadlines. However, this can be challenging as, in many cases, there can be more distractions and interruptions when learning online, especially when it’s so easy to put yourself on mute and turn your camera off.

4. Skills and traits gained via the virtual classroom

Not only does this boost time management skills and self-motivation, but it’s also crucial to staying organised, as you are responsible for your own time. Additionally, as you immerse yourself in technology, this supports the development of your technical literacy, particularly when you’re having technical difficulties.

5. Interactions

Teaching practitioners/ trainers can pull up a range of media or tools to answer questions directly or to be able to provide further elaboration on examples.

6. Accessing materials

Delegates’ questions or issues can be addressed at any time, with the additional benefit of the trainer having extra time to come back with an answer or suitable solution to a problem that couldn’t be resolved right there and then.

7. Reducing your carbon footprint

Virtual classrooms have minimal paper or printed resources as your reliance on the computer, software and internet connection lowers carbon emissions.

Classroom-based Learning:

1. Getting help

Within classroom-based learning, trainers have more opportunities to provide help and support. Having the opportunity to observe and interact to identify your strengths and learning styles. Allowing the learning experience to be tailored to individuals’ abilities, styles, skills and additional needs.

2. Greater structure and immersive learning experiences

Some delegates find remote learning challenging due to the need for more structure. Attending classroom-based learning provides well-structured sessions with a clear agenda and timetable to inform delegates of the plan and what’s required for the session. This can help avoid distractions and stops procrastinating to achieve success. Less external interactions, and you don’t have to worry about people around the house or dogs barking in a classroom-based environment.

3. Promoting critical thinking and more stimulating learning

Delegates are encouraged to develop their critical thinking skills as they discuss and support each other processes and problem-solving strategies as they are given the opportunity to explore their ideas. Within classroom-based learning, trainers have a range of resources available, such as videos, printed instructions, practical tasks, and quizzes to keep learners engaged while making the learning experience more stimulating and memorable.

4. Interactions and peer-supported learning

Trainers/ tutors can better optimise delegate’s learning experiences as they are paired or grouped to facilitate richer discussions or problems solving to enhance their learning. These interactions support the development of interpersonal communication skills, as various approaches are used to support this.

5. Accessing the learning materials

Teaching practitioners/ trainers can better support delegates, as they can work through the questions/ issues with the delegates. Providing the perfect opportunity to identify any knowledge gaps as they can complete formative assessments by asking questions, quizzes etc.. Using formative assessments to inform future learning is crucial in determining delegates’ next steps to gain progress with their knowledge.

6. Skills and traits gained via classroom-based learning

Not only does classroom-based learning support the development of critical skills such as; time management, problem-solving, communication, leadership, emotional intelligence, collaboration and adaptability, to name a few, but this also supports the delegate’s self-esteem and confidence and also supports the development of your technical literacy, particularly when you’re having technical difficulties.