Self-Paced vs Classroom Training- Select The Best Fit For You

Learning, whether self-paced or classroom, is a deciding factor for your career. Both self-paced and classroom training methodologies empower learners with skills and knowledge. Both have their limitations and advantages. Some prefer face-to-face interaction with a tutor while the others like to learn at their own pace and time. What matters, in the end, is imbibing knowledge in a way that is low on effort and high on impact.

In this article, we shall compare and contrast self-paced and classroom learning. This will help you decide on the mode of learning that is an ideal fit for you.

Self-paced

The self-paced method allows individuals to study at their own pace according to their own learning styles and interests by using a variety of media that help them acquire the knowledge required to pass exams. Here, the role of the tutor is to provide feedback on their proficiency, guide them in a right way, and design the learning environment based on their requirements.

Method followed

Self-paced training does not follow a set timetable. Course materials are totally accessible when the course starts. Exams and assignments don’t have start or due dates except for the official end date of the course. You can finish exams and assignments at your own pace before the course closes.

How it helps

Self-paced learning can take place at home, at work or in the classroom environment. So, aspirants will have the flexibility to study at their convenient place and time. Self-paced classes helps individuals:

• To continue with the lessons without having to wait
• To rewind trainer instructions and focus completely on the subject matter being taught
• To get 24/7 content access
• To interact with trainers on an individual basis or in small groups

Benefits

• Cost-effective
• Flexible environment and schedule
• Requires very less time
• Students feel more comfortable in this environment, as they can take a break and get back to study at their convenience.
• In self-paced training, learners will have the flexibility of choosing trainers as per their wish.
• Students can also take the online course for free through MOOC (Massive Open Online Course), which is an online course that allows you to learn at your own pace and schedule.

Challenges you might face

Challenges do exist with eLearning, including:

• Lack of learner engagement and motivation
• SMEs will not be available on the spot to clear your doubts
• Self-paced learning that uses animations or graphics to grasp the students’ attention might distract their focus
• Students might face some technical issues due to lack of internet connection
• Transferring knowledge as per one’s wisdom is challenging, because each individual is unique and has different understanding skills and grasping power. And this can't be achieved in self-paced learning, since there is no direct interaction between the trainer and the learner. In short, there is no customized knowledge delivery.
• End goal of the learners is not defined
• As instructor is not available on the spot, an individual has to execute programs (applicable mainly for developers and programmers) on their own which might take a long time to do.

In a study of 51,000 community-college students in Washington State conducted by community college research centre, it was found that students who opted for online or e-learning courses were more likely to drop out of the course or fail than students who opted the same course face to face i.e classroom training.

Classroom training offers solutions to many of these challenges. But, if you don’t have time or interest to attend classroom training, you can opt for online training which also overcomes most of the challenges that are faced in self-paced learning.

Is self-paced learning right for you?

If your answer is yes to all the below questions then you will be able to study on your own. If it is no then you would benefit better from classroom training:

• Are you an individual who studies alone and does it well without much of external aid or advice?
• Are you good at grasping and reading new things quickly?
• Are you a visual learner or an auditory learner?
• Will you work smarter and faster under the pressure of deadlines?

Individuals who are self-motivated, grasp things quickly, and have a tendency to do fine with self-study would like to learn independently and visually. If these are not your competencies, you could benefit obviously from the classroom training programs.

Some facts and stats about self-paced learning

• According to Technavio’s market research analysis, by the year 2020, self-paced e-learning market is expected to grow at a CAGR of around 2%.
• According to a study conducted by Brandon-Hall, e-learning requires 40% to 60% less time of an individual when compared to traditional classroom training.
• As per the MarketsAndMarkets research, the market of LMS (learning management system), which is a platform for e-learning programs is set to grow from being 5.22 billion dollars in 2016 to a 15.72 billion dollars in 2021, with a CAGR of 24.7%.
• According to Learning House, 45% of online learners reported salary increase and 44% reported enhancements in their employment standing.  

Classroom Training

Classroom training is viewed as the best type of learning. Going to a class requires an investment of effort and time, however, the benefits are outstanding. The classroom environment expels you from the diversions of daily work so you can focus on enhancing your skills. Here you have the chance to connect with highly qualified and certified instructor face to face and discuss ideas and issues with your associates and partners.

Method followed

In general, classroom training follows a predefined timebox. There will be a start date and a due date assigned for the exams and assignments, and the course should be completed within a defined period of time. Course materials will become accessible at definite times as the course continues.

How it helps?

Have a look at the top reasons listed below that tells you the how classroom learning helps:

• SMEs will be available on the spot to help you in solving your queries
• Instant support and help in fixing the errors
• Practical, real, and hands-on use of the tools and technologies
• Social interaction and sharing experiences
• Professional instructors who make the learning experience interesting, engaging, and enjoyable
• Invaluable feedback from the mentor and other peers in the group

The reasons above demonstrate that classroom training is the most effective form of learning among all training programmes. They improve learning by the involvement of the human association that is natural in all classroom-based instructional classes.

Technology has changed the way we learn than ever before by offering different delivery options. HD video, mobile devices, social media tools, and more have developed the learning ecosystem significantly. But, classroom training remains at the center of all these.

Benefits

• Self-motivation, discipline, and more effective form of learning
• Individuals have the chance to ask their queries
• They get an opportunity to discuss with other members of the group and learn
• Most effective for highly collaborative or complex subjects
• Well-experienced instructors deliver the course
• Customized knowledge delivery is available. Because in the classroom environment the trainer who had extensive knowledge can figure out a learner's self-efficacy and intellectual ability by looking and interacting with them directly and transfers the knowledge accordingly.
• Instructor will be able to predict the end goal of the learners i.e whether they are taking the course to get higher salaries, or better career opportunities, or just for upgrading their professional skills, or for any other reasons and help them to achieve their goals.
• Instructors would help an individual to gain a strong command over practical knowledge. For instance, if the student stuck at programming then instructor will be available on the spot to help them in executing it.

Challenges you might face

Challenges do exist with classroom learning, including:

• Investment of high cost, effort, and time
• Delay in individual’s daily tasks
• In classroom training, students might feel difficult to sustain attention to the class for long periods of time. This is because the number of intervals given is limited and the students are not allowed to take the break whenever they want.
• Individuals don’t have any option to choose their instructors. So, the teaching styles of trainers are unpredictable. 

Self-paced learning offers solutions to many of these challenges.

Is classroom training right for you?

Not every individual is open to learning in this classroom environment because not everyone learns at the same pace. Some people who are fast learners may feel frustrated for being held back while others who are slow learners are trying to hold on. This environment is best for those:

• Who want to interact with trainers and other learners personally in a live environment
• Who want to get hands-on practice experience
• Who have ample time to attend the classes

Some facts and stats about classroom learning

• Regardless of the quick development of e-learning, many students say despite everything they lean towards the traditional classroom training.
• According to a new survey conducted in the US, nearly 78 percent of over 1,000  students agreed that they would believe the 
• classroom learning is easier than any other development programs.
• Some reports stated that there is an added sense and value of worth for classroom training.
  
  

Final Thoughts

Hopefully, our explanation of Self-Study vs Classroom Study has helped you to choose the best option for you. Both are proven methods to increase one’s knowledge and develop learning. Each training method has its own pros and cons. So, we can’t say one is better than the other. The better question is ask yourself ‘which one works better for me’ instead of thinking ‘which one is better’. Finally, the choice is yours!

The table given below demonstrates the difference between classroom and self-study training:

Parameters	Self-paced	Classroom
Learn at your own pace
Cost-effective
Flexible
Learn from instructors worldwide
Adaptive mode of delivery
Clearly defined end goal

Still undecided about whether self-paced or classroom training is right for you? We suggest one more option that would be a great fit for you i.e blended learning which is a combination of both online and traditional classroom methods. This seems to be an ideal preference for the whole new cohort of do-it-yourself learners, who want to make the best use of both forms of learning.