Technology has made remote, online training an option for many businesses today, including Massachusetts Marijuana Establishments seeking to satisfy their Responsible Vendor Training requirements. While online training can offer some advantages, face-to-face training still provides the best learning experience for several reasons. This holds true for Responsible Vendor Training as well. Here are five advantage of using a face-to-face Responsible Vendor Training Course.
Engagement
The main reason face-to-face training is superior to online training is that gathering in one room reduces distractions and forces everyone to be engaged. During online training, attendees are more likely to sit passively in front of a screen and competing priorities often intrude, causing them to end up scanning emails or doing other work. These lapses in attention affect what attendees can gain from the training.
Access
During face-to-face training, attendees can easily ask questions by raising their hands or by speaking privately to the trainer during a break if they feel self-conscious. During online training, it is more difficult to get the attention of the trainer and attendees may be less likely to reach out. As a result, questions or concerns can go unanswered, reducing the value of the course.
Flexibility
During face-to-face training, the trainer can “read the room” and adjust time spent on topics based on the background and responses of the attendees. For example, when addressing a group of retail sales staff, the trainer might focus more time on recognizing fake IDs and less time on cultivation-related topics. In online training, this type of flexible time management is less likely to occur.
Problem-Solving
Technology has made our daily lives easier, both at work and at home, but it doesn’t always work. During face-to-face training, if the internet goes down or someone can’t log into an exam site, the trainer can adjust on the fly by using materials stored offline or by having paper exams on hand. Online training is wholly reliant on technology; if the technology fails, there are few alternatives.
The Human Element
While online training may add convenience, it also reduces real life human interaction. Having the opportunity to exchange handshakes and conversation leads to familiarity, good will, a sense of community, and feeling of accountability, all of which are likely to make the learning experience more meaningful. Online training can’t provide these tangible benefits.