Here's how you can choose between in-person or online continuing education courses as a leader.

Go with your innate preference if you have a choice. Having said that, in person courses bring in the human touch and feel and also opportunities to network and learn from your peers, which is relatively limited for online courses. But on the flip side, online courses are likely to provide flexibility and lighter on your wallet. I personally prefer a mix with online accounting for 80% and in person courses accounting for the rest. But the golden advice eitherway is - Evaluate the faculty before selecting, the faculty makes all the difference!

Actually, my experience has been the opposite. Online learning allows you to apply new knowledge and skills to your current work as it comes. This makes learning more practical and incremental. Conversely ,in-person learning may require time off from work and often uncomfortable comeback.

Busy leader? Here's how to pick the right continuing education (CE): 1. In-Person: Ideal for networking (build connections!), skill practice (get hands-on!), and focused learning (fewer distractions). Consider travel costs and time commitment. 2. Online: Perfect for flexibility (learn at your own pace!), affordability (often cheaper!), and diverse programs (wider range of options). Requires self-discipline and may lack interaction. 3. Go Hybrid!: Some programs combine online modules with in-person workshops, offering a mix of benefits. 4. The Best Choice: Analyze your needs! Prioritize networking or deeper learning? Tight budget or flexible schedule? Choose the format that best supports your leadership development goals.

Flexibility: Choose online for flexible schedules; in-person for structured timing. Interaction: In-person offers face-to-face networking; online can be more isolated. Learning Style: Opt for in-person if you prefer hands-on learning; online suits self-paced learners. Resources: Online often provides a broader range of materials; in-person may offer more immediate support. Cost: Online courses can be more affordable; in-person may involve higher costs for travel and materials. Relevance: Evaluate which format better aligns with your career goals and industry standards.

Choosing between in-person or online continuing education courses depends on your learning style and schedule. If you thrive on direct interaction and networking, in-person courses offer face-to-face engagement and hands-on experiences. On the other hand, online courses provide flexibility, allowing you to learn at your own pace and fit education around your busy schedule. Consider your goals, the course content, and how each format aligns with your lifestyle. Both options have their benefits, so select the one that best supports your growth and fits your personal and professional commitments.

Leaders must manage their time efficiently, making online courses a flexible option that fits around existing commitments. However, if you prefer a structured learning environment and can dedicate specific times weekly, in-person classes may be better, though they involve commuting time. Assess how each option aligns with your workload and responsibilities to choose the most effective educational path.

Online Courses: Online courses offer greater flexibility, allowing you to work around your existing commitments. As an entrepreneur and surgeon, I often opt for online courses to fit education into my busy schedule. This format lets you learn at your own pace and eliminates commuting time, making it ideal for those with packed agendas. In-Person Courses: If you can dedicate specific times of the week to attend classes and value the structure they provide, in-person education might suit you better. However, keep in mind that in-person classes also require commuting time, which can add up. In my practice, I find that in-person training offers immediate feedback and hands-on experience, which is crucial for skill-based learning.

When choosing between in-person and online courses, consider your personal schedule and learning preferences. From my experience, online courses provide flexibility, allowing you to learn at your own pace. This is crucial for busy leaders. However, if you thrive in a structured environment and benefit from face-to-face interactions, in-person classes may be more effective, despite the commute. My advice? List your commitments and how each format fits your lifestyle. Prioritize options that align with your time management goals, ensuring your educational journey enhances rather than complicates your leadership role. Evaluate regularly to adapt your choices as needed.

I appreciate both online and in-person learning for their unique benefits. I've taken a course with live virtual learning, which allowed me to learn at my own pace while still engaging with a trainer and classmates. For me, the best method varies with the context of what I'm learning. Sometimes the flexibility of online courses is ideal, while other times the structure and direct interaction of in-person classes are more beneficial. It’s essential to assess which method aligns best with your current workload and learning style.

For me, there were two benefits of online college courses: Eliminating the commute time to and from a brick-and-mortar classroom and being able to complete coursework at my pace and on my schedule. Every time I logged into a class, I saved one hour of commuting time, which I could use to apply to my studies or spend with my family instead of sitting in traffic. Being able to work at my own pace, I finished a 24-month Master’s program in 15 months. Online courses allowed me to save time and money, not just in format but also in tuition costs. I attended Western Governors University—Washington. Their tuition for a Master's degree was 1/3 of the University of Washington rate, so my employer reimbursed 100% of my tuition cost.

Networking is indeed a pivotal component of in-person courses, offering the unique benefit of face-to-face interactions with peers and industry professionals. These connections can lead to immediate, tangible opportunities and a deeper level of engagement. On the other hand, online courses can also facilitate significant networking through forums, group projects, and virtual events, connecting you with a global network of professionals. When deciding between the two, consider your career goals and the type of networking that will most effectively support them, as both approaches offer valuable but distinct networking opportunities.

In-Person Courses: These offer the advantage of meeting peers and industry experts face-to-face. In my experience as a surgeon and entrepreneur, in-person interactions often lead to meaningful connections and opportunities that might not arise through online platforms. Networking in this setting can provide immediate and personal relationships that are beneficial for career advancement. Online Courses: Online platforms often include forums, group projects, and virtual meetups that can also foster relationships with professionals worldwide. While these connections might not have the same immediacy as face-to-face meetings, they offer the chance to build a diverse network across different geographies.

I have already taken several face-to-face and online courses. The first step to define is our availability of time considering our routine. From the point of view of knowledge, there is no big difference between the face-to-face and online model. The big difference is how relevant networking is to you in the course in question. In fact, the face-to-face relationship tends to be more robust than the online one.

Agree, course quality should be prioritized above all other factors as far as possible. The challenge is to get a good assessment of the quality before selection. Here are some methods I use: 1. connect with those who have taken the course for insights 2. read as many online reviews as possible 3. look at how long the course has been running for and how many participants they have served to date 4. ensure the course offered by the institution is something the institution specializes in for expertise. 5. read-up about the course trainers and their style of teaching, reviews and qualifications 6. review the agenda and ensure you will get all you are looking for specifically for your need within it ie sufficient depth, time, focus, etc

Research Curriculum and Instructors: Investigate the curriculum and the qualifications of the instructors. Whether you choose an in-person or online format, the expertise of those teaching the course is crucial. In my experience, courses led by industry experts provide deeper insights and more valuable learning experiences. Read Reviews: Look at reviews from past students to gauge the course's effectiveness and quality. In both my surgical training and entrepreneurial ventures, student feedback has been an invaluable resource for assessing the practical applicability and overall value of a course.

Cost is an important factor in your decision-making process. In-Person Courses: These may involve additional expenses such as travel, accommodation, and printed materials. However, they can offer deeper learning and valuable networking opportunities that justify the higher cost. Online Courses: Often less expensive up-front, online courses provide digital resources that can be accessed repeatedly, making them budget-friendly and flexible.

Las formaciones online normalmente son más aceptadas por el equipo porque potencian la conciliación y la flexibilidad, características esenciales del entorno laboral. Ahora bien, las formaciones presenciales tienen un mayor impacto en la vida de las personas y ayudan mucho más a integrar los contenidos. Un buen líder tendrá en cuenta estas variables a la hora de escoger.

I’ve found that the choice between online and in-person courses really depends on the context and my current needs. I enjoy both formats and have seen value in each. For instance, I took a live virtual course that offered the best of both worlds: the flexibility to work at my own pace with the benefit of real-time interaction with a trainer and classmates. Depending on the topic and my schedule, one method may be more effective than the other. Balancing these options has been key to my ongoing professional development.

What you get after the completion of the course is also very important because it gives validation that you have successfully completed the course

The new normal is flexibility and work-life balance driven. Focus on whether remote learning is better for you, especially if you need to remain agile with your schedule. Many remote learnings are very flexible and self-drive, allowing you to keep learning at your own pace and according to you own schedule. No delivery style is perfect in every category, but online learning is always more flexible.