Live Virtual vs On Demand: How to Choose What’s Best for Your Learning Style
Live Virtual vs On Demand: How to Choose What’s Best for Your Learning Style
Whether you’re planning to move into a new field, trying to get up to speed on new technologies, or simply looking for ways to broaden your engineering knowledge, there are now a number of convenient online options for continued learning and development. Whereas previous generations often needed to travel to attend in-person classes, today’s engineers can learn vital skills in everything from additive manufacturing to team leadership, all from the comfort of their own homes.
With that said, not every learning format is a perfect fit for every individual. While Live Virtual Classrooms come closest to capturing the traditional in-person learning experience, there are also a wide range of high-quality On Demand courses that may be a better fit for busy engineers or those who like to study at their own pace.
Live Virtual Classrooms
ASME’s Live Virtual Classrooms take the traditional in-person classroom experience and make it accessible from a distance. Course participants attend scheduled sessions and receive live instruction from experienced engineers. Many of these courses also involve interaction and collaboration with peers, in addition to real-world examples and case studies.
One of the greatest advantages of the Virtual Classroom is that it allows participants to ask the instructor questions and receive feedback on their work in real-time, so learners can clarify and dive deeper into specific best practices. Virtual classrooms also offer a more structured and social learning environment and may be best for engineers who enjoy learning new ideas through discussion and collaboration.
Virtual Classroom courses do require a certain time commitment and the ability to attend scheduled classes consistently at a set time, which may make them less convenient for busy working engineers.
ASME’s Virtual Classroom courses combine world-class instruction from experienced engineers with peer-to-peer collaboration, online discussion boards, interactive Q&As, and more.
For engineers who enjoy the engagement of live courses, take note: ASME is beginning to offer in-person learning again following the pandemic. Reach out to our team to learn more about upcoming opportunities.
On Demand courses
In today’s busy and fast-paced world, On Demand Self Study courses are an increasingly popular way to gain new skills and knowledge. Unlike Live Virtual Classrooms, On Demand courses are designed to help learners master the material on their own and at their own pace.
Because there are no mandatory class sessions, On Demand courses can be much easier to slot into a busy schedule, and they may be the best option for engineers with limited time to invest. They’re also ideal for self-motivated learners who prefer to process the information on their own or feel more comfortable setting their own learning pace.
An On Demand course gives you the flexibility to move quickly through the material you already know and understand and focus your time on new or challenging concepts. While On Demand courses don’t have the traditional set up of a Virtual or In Person classroom, ASME’s thriving community of learners and educators means that students are never short on support.
{{CALL OUT}} ASME’s On Demand Self Study courses offer independent learners all of the resources they need to master key concepts on their own time.
Which is best for me?
Both Live and OnDemand learning can serve as an excellent way to learn new concepts, gain practical knowledge, and practice important skills. Still, one may be better suited to your learning needs than the other. As you weigh your options for online L&D courses, consider the following.
Are you a social learner?
Social learners are learners who prefer to learn new concepts in discussion with others. Social learners enjoy collaboration and tend to learn best when they’re able to bounce ideas and questions off of their instructors or peers. By contrast, intrapersonal learners tend to prefer to learn and process new ideas on their own.
Generally speaking, social learners are more likely to benefit from the collaborative elements included in a Virtual Classroom or Guided Study, while many intrapersonal learners will find that they prefer the self-directed approach of learning.
Are you a self-motivated learner?
If you’re a self-motivated learner and prefer to work at your own pace, you may find that On Demand courses allow you to work through the material more effectively.
Some people find that they learn best when they have the added motivation of set deadlines and regular class times. If you’ve found that the accountability of a traditional classroom has been useful to you in the past, you might find that you get more value out of a virtual classroom’s more structured environment.
Do you have any scheduling concerns?
Making time for ongoing learning isn’t always easy, especially if you’re working full time while learning or have other family obligations to attend to. If you’re interested in learning more about a particular subject but not sure whether you’ll be able to meet deadlines or attend class sessions regularly, an On Demand course might be exactly what you need.
You don’t necessarily need to choose
If you’re still on the fence, there’s also a third option that may appeal to you: Guided Study.
Guided study offers a blended approach that combines the flexibility of on-demand learning with the instructor support of a virtual classroom. You can still work through the material at your own pace, but you’ll also engage in instructor-led activities and assignments.
{{CALL OUT}} ASME’s Guided Study courses offer guidance and instruction from experienced engineers in a flexible six-week format you can complete at your own pace.
A Guided Study course may be perfect for you if you like the structured approach of instructor-led learning but have time constraints that make attending a Virtual Classroom difficult.
The latest engineering courses, now 25% off
As a leading developer of educational resources for engineers, ASME offers a wide range of courses designed to help engineers develop both theoretical knowledge and applicable skills.
With hundreds of relevant courses to choose from, ASME’s accredited, skill-based learning solutions support the success of your employees and your business.
For a limited time, get 25% off our on demand courses when you buy for a group of 5 or more. Use code 5FOR25 at checkout to train on:
When you’re ready to get started, you can browse our full course catalog here. And if you find that you have further questions about ASME’s learning options, don’t hesitate to get in touch.
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