In-person classes or online training — what difference does it really make? Which option is best for your organization’s CPR training program? And are those the only two options available?
If you’re asking these questions, you’re not alone. A CPR training program isn’t something you want to choose half-heartedly, but there are enough options out there that having to choose one can feel overwhelming.
However, there isn’t a simple, universal answer. Each training model has its advantages and disadvantages, and the best one for your organization will depend on your team’s specific needs and learning styles.
Here’s what you need to know about the differences between in-person and online CPR training and how to choose the best training model for your organization.
Understanding CPR Training Models
Generally speaking, there are actually three main CPR training models:
- In-person training. Whether it’s in-house or at a third-party training facility, in-person training involves a traditional classroom setting with hands-on exercises. This training model allows for immediate feedback from the instructor and lots of group interaction.
- Online training. CPR training that is fully online consists of self-paced, digital courses that are accessible over the internet on various devices. It may also include virtual hands-on evaluations through video conferencing.
- Blended training. The third training model combines online coursework with virtual or in-person sessions for hands-on practice and evaluation. It’s still largely self-paced and remotely accessible but with added practical training and instructor feedback.
Understanding what to expect from the training model you choose will help you not only determine which is the best fit but also take advantage of its strengths and make accommodations for its shortcomings.
Weighing the Pros & Cons
Neither online nor in-person training is necessarily better than the other, but one may be better suited to your organization’s needs. Let’s take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of each training model.
In-Person: Direct Interaction in One Location
The biggest advantage of in-person training is the physical presence of the instructor and fellow students. With in-person classes, students can receive both hands-on practice and immediate correction to their skills and answers to their questions.
In this way, in-person classes are great for keeping students accountable to complete the coursework and for fostering teamwork and facilitating group discussion. Instructors can easily and quickly confirm that everyone is on the same page and clarify anything the students are struggling to understand.
However, in-person training can be difficult for large or dispersed teams to coordinate. There can also be higher costs for equipment, the use of facilities, and travel, in addition to compensation for the instructor’s and students’ time.
Online: Flexibility & Convenience
The strength of online training lies in its flexibility. Students can learn from anywhere on their own time, eliminating the need to coordinate schedules. As such, it reduces costs for travel and facilities and saves you the headache of rescheduling classes for no-shows.
Online training is also self-paced, which means students can digest the information as slowly or quickly as they need to without disturbing the other students. Plus, it integrates with online dashboards to track students’ progress and certifications, so no one has to worry about falling out of compliance over lapsed certifications.
However, online training may not offer as much hands-on practice or immediate feedback from the instructor, potentially making it more challenging to ensure student engagement and assess skill level. Online training also requires reliable technology and internet connectivity, which may be difficult for some students to access.
Blended: The Best of Both Worlds
A blended training model combines the strengths of online and in-person learning while mitigating their respective disadvantages.
- Flexibility: The online portions can be done at the student’s own pace, wherever is most conducive to their learning.
- Accountability and feedback: The student also benefits from direct interaction with the instructor, either virtually or in person.
- Hands-on practice: In a blended learning model, students usually purchase or borrow their own equipment, so they can practice whenever, wherever, and however often they need to.
- Online dashboards: Student information is stored online in easily accessible portals, so students can receive communications from the instructor and access their certification details.
Studies have shown that a blended training model is just as effective as in-person CPR training — if not more so. While some organizations may still benefit most from either fully in-person or online classes, for many, blended learning is truly the best of both worlds.
Making the Right Choice for Your Team
The right training model for your organization will depend on several factors, including:
- Company size. How many people will need to be trained? How difficult will it be to coordinate schedules so everyone can attend in-person training?
- Location. Do you have the facilities to hold in-person classes? Is your team dispersed and unable to meet at a central location?
- Learning styles. Some people need direct, in-person instruction, while others learn better at home. Which training model will best suit your workers’ individual learning styles?
- Budget. Will holding in-person classes be more or less cost-effective than online or blended training when you factor in travel, facility, equipment, and time costs? Can your budget cover these additional expenses?
With these factors in mind, in-person training might make more sense for smaller teams that operate out of a single location, prefer to learn through group discussion and immediate feedback, or have the budget to cover costs associated with creating a traditional classroom environment.
On the other hand, larger companies with dispersed teams or that have difficulty arranging workers’ schedules to accommodate classroom times, whose staff learn better at their own pace, or that are looking to cut down on training costs may benefit more from online or blended training instead.
However, keep in mind that what works for your current team may not work as well in the future. Evaluate your CPR training program regularly to determine whether it’s still effective or you need to switch to a different model.
Staying Compliant & Tracking Progress
No matter what training model you choose for your organization, you want to ensure that you have some kind of system in place that allows you to:
- Monitor student progress throughout the course.
- Store everyone’s information in one central location.
- Track students’ certification expiration dates.
- Send reminders when it’s time to renew.
This can be easier with online and blended training options, since both models typically include an online dashboard for record keeping.
If your organization opts for in-person classes, the CPR training provider you choose may still offer an online portal. If not, however, you’ll need to set up a system for tracking compliance and certifications yourself.
For best results, ensure that it integrates with your existing systems and processes, and take advantage of automation tools. A spreadsheet may seem like a simple but effective solution, but you’ll still have to keep it manually updated. It will be much easier to keep everyone compliant and up-to-date if you can set automated notifications and reminders.
Building Your CPR Training Program
While in-person CPR training can provide more group discussion, immediate feedback, and direct student-instructor interaction, it lacks the scalability of online training. Blended learning, on the other hand, combines the best of both training models for maximum efficiency.
When choosing the best CPR training model for your organization, consider your team’s size, dispersion, learning styles, available technology, and budget. Above all, aim for a flexible strategy that can help you remain compliant while adapting to your organization’s evolving needs.
Contact us today to learn more about how ProTrainings can help you make getting your staff CPR certified easier and more efficient.