Here is one of our most frequently asked questions regarding our workshops at The Forensic Practice: which is better—online training, in-person training, or eCourses?

Compare the benefits and disadvantages of each option to choose the one that best fits your training needs.

Benefits of Online Workshops

1. Convenient and Flexible: No need to travel or commute. Participants join from anywhere, making it easy to fit into busy schedules.
2. Cost-Effective: There are no expenses related to venue rental, travel, hotel, meals, overtime, etc. This lowers costs for organizers and participants. 
3. Accessible: Participants and trainers from various regions, including remote locations, can attend. This setup simplifies logistics and enhances learning with diverse perspectives.

Disadvantages of Online Workshops

1. Limited Engagement and Interaction: It’s harder to stay engaged, team-build, and network online compared to in person. Interactions are less spontaneous and more structured. It’s harder for trainers to gauge understanding through body language and other non-verbal cues.
2. Distraction: Online learning can lead to distractions and multi-tasking. Without dedicated time away from work, these distractions may compound and impact learning.
3. Technical Issues and Connectivity: Online training is harder for participants with unstable internet connections and limited access to technical support.

Benefits of In-Person Workshops

1. Engagement and Focus: Focusing, participating, and collaborating are easier in a dedicated learning space with others. Learning becomes more interactive, and participants are less likely to multi-task or get distracted.
2. Network and Support: It’s easier to network, share ideas, and develop strong relationships with other participants through face-to-face interactions. Better cooperation, collaboration, and peer support improves job performance and satisfaction.
3. Communication and Feedback: Body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice play an essential role in communication. It’s easier for trainers to see participants’ reactions, adjust content or delivery, and give real-time feedback in person.

Disadvantages of In-Person Workshops

1. Cost: In-person workshops often cost more for organizers and participants because of venue rental, travel, hotel, meals, overtime, etc. 
2. Less Accessible: Geographic and time constraints can be a barrier for people who live far away, have mobility issues, or have schedule conflicts. 
3. Inflexible: In-person workshops often require a full-day or multi-day commitment, which is hard to fit into busy work schedules or personal responsibilities.

Benefits of eCourses for Participants

1. Flexible and Convenient. Learn at your own pace, fit it into any schedule, and access it from anywhere—ideal for those balancing work, family, and other commitments.
2. Accessible. It’s virtual and downloadable, so there’s no need to commute, travel, or spend extra money for training. You can take it from any time zone and geographical location. There is no need to coordinate instructor-led training (ILT) or ‘live’ sessions (either virtual or in-person). 
3. Personalized Learning. You can spend as much (or as little) time on any topic, as needed. eCourses suit people with various knowledge levels and learning styles. Having time to reflect on new ideas and think about your answers leads to deeper learning.
4. Spaced Learning. eCourses are typically taken in small chunks at a time, which leads to longer-term retention of learned material.
5. 24/7 Resource. You can access course materials online 24/7 (lessons, exercises, forms, etc.) to refresh or review what you learned.
6. Better. We use multimedia resources (videos, podcasts, interactive activities, etc.) to engage learners and cater to different learning styles. eCourses lower barriers to participation for people who are shy or anxious in groups, which can boost confidence.

Benefits of eCourses for Organizations

1.   Cost-effective. Accessible anywhere, anytime, eCourses save time and costs for:

• Coordinating staff training in different time zones or remote locations.
• Staffing/operations problems – covering shifts or cases, overtime, time off, etc. 
• Renting a training venue and equipment (projector, speakers, etc.).
• Travel expenses – flights, hotel rooms, meals, etc.
• Material costs – printing and distributing resource material.
• Training new staff or ensuring that teams have the same foundations before embarking on more advanced training. This results in a better return on investment of valuable training dollars.

2.   Efficient. eCourses can fit into any schedule, so they increase efficiency related to:

• Onboarding new employees – training can start immediately.
• Employee productivity – less time away from work to attend training.
• Operations – no need to backfill positions.

3.   Competent Workforce. All workers can acquire the same foundational skills promptly, regardless of background, so organizations and police officers have:

• Better communication among their teams – shared language and knowledge base.
• More dependable employees require less supervision.
• Lower exposure to risks such as lawsuits or complaints. When people are trained early in their careers, they make fewer errors.

4.   Scalable. Many workers can simultaneously take asynchronous eCourses without costing significantly more per person. In contrast, traditional classroom courses require more resources per person (travel expenses, rental room size, time off, etc.).

Register now for our current and upcoming workshops and eCourses. Contact us directly for any additional questions.