Online, in-class or blended learning: What is the right training format for me?

Digital training is in high demand - and has played a central role at MARGA not only since the beginning of the Corona pandemic. E-learning has clear advantages over traditional classroom training:

• Location-independent: participation is possible from anywhere, across countries.
• Time-independence: flexibility through asynchronous learning
• On-the-job training: hardly any downtime at the workplace
• Cost savings: no travel expenses
• Self-directed learning
• Multilingualism

However, e-learning also has its weaknesses. A high degree of self-organization and initiative is required; learning success can suffer from a lack of interaction and exchange with trainers.

We are aware of these challenges and consciously counteract them in our online programs, because:

• Personal support for participants is our strength: In addition to self-directed learning, participants also receive individual and comprehensive support online from experienced and competent trainers*. This includes live webinars and unlimited personal tutoring.
• In the business game, participants experience game-based learning in a team: In virtual teamwork, participants control their virtual company and compete with other teams. This ensures interactive and motivated learning.

Despite the trend toward digital training, many companies continue to stick on face-to-face events. This is because advantages such as the opportunity for direct exchange and a high level of interaction are important success factors in the learning process.

Classroom seminars bring important advantages with them. For example, there is a much more intensive exchange with the trainers, who provide direct feedback and can answer intermediate questions immediately and spontaneously.

There is also a much greater team and group dynamic when working together on site. The direct interaction in the group has a motivating effect. Team building among colleagues is promoted and networking between participants is also made possible.

In contrast to online training courses, in-class seminars take place on external locations or at least away from the participants' own workplaces. Distracting factors are avoided, which ensures greater focus. After all, continuing education doesn't just happen in between. It is often good for participants to get away from their daily work routine during the seminar.

According to a study by PwC, more than three quarters of companies do not want to forego either digital training or face-to-face events in the future and are therefore planning to use a mix of both formats.

It can therefore be assumed that blended learning will play a major role in the future. This is because the advantages of face-to-face seminars can be combined with the strengths of online training.

MARGA also attaches great importance to blended learning. In our opinion, it is precisely in the combination of different formats and media that the decisive advantages lie.

In our in-class modules, current management knowledge can be acquired in personal dialog and conveyed in a well-founded manner. In the exciting online business game competition, participants deepen the contexts and apply them in concrete entrepreneurial decision-making situations.

If your in-class event cannot take place as planned, we can also switch to online training at short notice: same date, digital instead of on-site!