Do the same teaching methods work better in physical classrooms or in virtual classrooms? Does training online make a difference in terms of learning outcomes or the learning experience? Which delivery medium is best for your organization’s training program?

This report by Dr. Gary Woodill reviews the literature comparing virtual versus on-site classrooms, seeking to answer those very questions. “Learning in Virtual Classrooms versus Physical Classrooms: A Review of the Research” analyzes over 100 research studies that compare the experiences and outcomes of learning in a virtual classroom with the experiences and outcomes of learning in a physical classroom.

After studying virtual learning for over 20 years, one training researcher, Thomas L. Russell, found that, in general, “no significant difference” exists in learning outcomes between online and on-site training, as long as the approach to instruction and assessment is similar. Most of the remaining literature supports this conclusion. In fact, the evidence actually slightly favors the conclusion that learning online is superior, and very few studies support teaching in physical classrooms as being superior to teaching in virtual classrooms.

These results suggest that conducting your company’s training online can be just as effective as conducting in-person training. Due to the cost savings achieved by teaching online, this is good news for corporate training coordinators, learners, and the leaders running your organization.

While finding that online training may be just as effective as or more effective than physical training, Dr. Woodill’s literature review also highlighted a need to more deeply investigate the differences and similarities. This report may not be the end, but it is an intriguing beginning.

"Learning in Virtual Classrooms versus Physical Classrooms: A Review of the Research"is only available to Brandon Hall Research Center Members.