With the online space taking the world by storm, many learning leaders and learners are now asking themselves this very question — can digital learning replace in-person training?
Face-to-Face is the traditional way of instruction where students and teachers attend an in-person learning session at the same time. Digital is a technology-enhanced educational strategy that makes effective use of online learning tools.
Key Differences
1. Human Connection
F2F: Can foster a dynamic trainer-learner relationship.
Digital: Enhances human connection through interactive and collaborative tools.
2. Flexibility
F2F: The pace of learning is controlled by the trainer and is usually held for hours.
Digital: More student-centered since the learner has the freedom to control the pace of learning.
3. Accessibility
F2F: Learners and the trainer have to be in the same place at the same time to start the session.
Digital: Learning can be done anywhere, anytime, on any device.
4. Content
F2F: Learning content isn’t on-demand, and primarily depends on collective group needs.
Digital: Empowers learners with easy access to whichever learning topic, resource or tool works best for their needs and goals.
5. Speed and Effectiveness
F2F: Retention rates are very low with just 8% to 10% as F2F materials are longer in form.
Digital: It takes less time to learn the same material as eLearning boosts knowledge retention by 25-60%.
6. Personalized Guidance
F2F: While F2F also provides one-on-one guidance, it’s limited to in-person sessions.
Digital: Allows for greater interaction and feedback between the trainer and learner.
7. Budget
F2F: Costs more since the budget is spent on the venue and physical learning materials.
Digital: Offers a lot of savings since overhead costs are reduced.
8. Greater Reach
F2F: Limited to physical locations and prone to inconsistencies across a global company.
Digital: Allows for centralization of learning across the company.
9. Management and Reporting
F2F: Challenging to manage since most of the administrative work has to be done manually.
Digital: A truly industrialized solution that easily allows managers to view on-demand reports, and monitor usage and progress.
Our Verdict: Learners Want Digital!
Digital learning is an opportunity to make personalized, relevant learning accessible to employees whenever and wherever they need it. More than that, developing a sustainable digital learning strategy will be a huge business benefit moving forward!
82% of organizations plan to start producing more digital learning.
5% of learning leaders think learning strategy, investment, and resourcing will go back to what they were.
0% of organizations (as of June 2020) plan to increase face-to-face in the next 12 months.
Sources: eLearning Industry, Elucidat, Fosway, Brandon Hall Group, Research Institute of America
