The world of training and coaching is changing fluidly and becoming increasingly digital. In this context, new terms keep emerging in the professional field. One of these is “live online training,” which we will examine more closely in this article. For this, we embark on a trip through space and time.
The new buzzword: Live Online Training
In the article “Advantage through Live Online Trainings” in Training aktuell from June 2018, Alexandra Altmann and Carsten Blumenstein (both from virtuu) write about the advantages of this format: It is live, it is online, it is interactive – you as a trainer need to travel less and can engage your participants actively online as well. Many trainers and experts also describe the learning format of webinars similarly – a term that has now secured its place in the professional field.
According to Altmann and Blumenstein, the difference lies in the level of interactions. Webinars usually consist only of a presentation by the speaker and the opportunity to ask questions. In contrast, live online trainings involve specific tools from the virtual classroom, such as chat or polls:
“This intense synchronous communication makes the difference between live online training and the mostly passive webinar.” (Training aktuell No. 6/2018, p. 28)
This distinction may seem vague, as although many webinars mostly consist of a presentation, this is more of a personal choice by the trainer rather than a factor of the term webinar. No question – the method of conducting training online and live can be sensible and appropriate depending on the situation. However, there is no terminological difference from the classic webinar.
A trip into the world of terms: Webinar, Live and Online
What is a Webinar?
According to Duden, a “seminar taking place online,” while according to Wikipedia, it is a “seminar held over the World Wide Web.” The term itself divides into Web + Seminar.
What is a Live Online Training?
The term itself neither appears in Duden nor in Wikipedia. If we look at the composition of the term itself, we simply have a training that takes place live and online.
We have Web + Seminar on one side, and Online + Live Training on the other. Do you see a difference?
Altmann and Blumenstein identify the difference in interactivity. However, this is not distinguished in terms such as seminar or e-learning! A webinar (= Web + Seminar) should include a certain level of interactivity as well. Otherwise, it would be a lecture or a mere transmission.
Yes, one could introduce a new term for a particularly interactive webinar. However, that would not be productive – on the contrary: The terminology of modern training is already a very broad field where many trainers quickly lose track. Consequently, we would also need terms for particularly interactive classic seminars or particularly interactive e-learning.
It is clear: Live means there is a fixed time for the event. If that is the case, then interactivity is generally a good factor for increasing the learning effect. This is also acknowledged by speakers who incorporate questions to the audience in their one-sided presentations. In a seminar, interactivity is generally higher – but how high, is not defined.
Regarding the fixed location, there is also a need for clarification: In our modern world, we should increasingly transition to speaking about a digital place and a physical place.
Matrix: Space and Time for Learning Forms
We humans are bound to the dimensions of space and time. In trainings, coaching, and education, these two terms serve as anchor points to distinguish different learning forms: E-learning, for example, is unbound by space and time, while a webinar according to the traditional definition is only unbound by space:
Matrix 1: To distinguish between different forms of learning, these are classically defined by their dependence on time and location.
However, with digitalization, this categorization is becoming increasingly imprecise, and even our physical reference points of space and time must be questioned. Or at least the dimension of space – because when talking about webinars or live online trainings, we refer to digital classrooms.
What do you understand by space? You probably first think of a physically present location, such as a room in a house. Four walls, a floor, a ceiling. But on further reflection, the term “space” also refers to a place in a more philosophical sense. Even Duden provides partly contradictory definitions here, for example:
(Space is) a defined extent in length, width, and height
(Space is) an undefined extent in length, width, and height
Returning to the terms webinar or even live online training (which is virtually the same, as we established above): Would you speak of a fixed location here? The digital space is indeed fixed; otherwise, physically scattered participants and trainers would never meet.
Online learning formats such as e-learning or webinars do not function independently of physical conditions: I need access to a particular website, a platform – I am digitally in a specific location!
Therefore, let’s adjust our previous matrix to this expanded description of the location and now distinguish between the physical and digital location:
Matrix 2: As digitalization increases, the term “location” becomes imprecise. The diagram shows current learning forms in dependence on time as well as digital and physical locations. For instance, a presence seminar has a physical location and a fixed time.
Terms and Learning Forms in Transition
The second matrix might appear quite complex, that is true. We believe it is worthwhile to engage with it once to understand the complexity of terms surrounding new forms of learning.
But a basic understanding is also sufficient! What makes a training, in the end, are always the contents and the needs of the participants. How you ultimately name your training is entirely up to you. Focus on the content and adapt the learning form to it, not the other way around. Whether you call it “webinar” or “live online training” is inconsequential.
Benefit from All Learning Forms: Blended Learning
This article should not aim to completely dismiss the concept of live online training. That should have become clear. However, we are convinced of two aspects regarding this topic:
Live online training is the same as a web seminar (webinar)
No single form of learning is the ultimate solution for the future
The second point is crucial: Regardless of whether you are a fan of the term “webinar” or the term “live online training” – taken alone, the learning form is far less effective and sustainable than when you combine it with other forms. A live training falls under the category of “presence.”
Recently, we gave an overview of current terms regarding various learning forms in this blog and wrote: “We understand presence learning as a form of learning where participants are present together at a specific time.” – thus also including the webinar or live online training. In the second matrix above, this consists of all learning forms under “fixed time” and “fixed physical location.”
Once you do not limit yourself to a single learning format but combine at least two, you utilize blended learning. In this case, experts recommend combining a presence form with an e-learning form, as both bring their unique advantages.
Your training participants benefit from this combination because different learning types are addressed, and they are personally motivated (advantage of presence) and can practice autonomously (advantage of e-learning).
A typical model of blended learning: Live presence events alternate with e-learning impulses.
Conclusion: Live Online Training Only in Combination with Other Learning Forms
Live online trainings are defined as particularly interactive webinars; however, there is no significant separation between the two terms. If you are considering delving deeper into this learning form, we advise you: Use blended learning and combine live online training with e-learning. Through an online-supported self-learning phase, your participants can internalize what they have learned in the long term and integrate it into their daily lives.
