In-person learning is a term used to describe traditional classroom interaction. It is sometimes called conventional learning or in-person education.
The transmission of knowledge has primarily taken place through in-person learning throughout history. However, with the introduction of technology, education has naturally changed.
There is a shift towards virtual learning and away from traditional in-person learning.
Yet, one of the best ways to teach people is via hands-on learning.
In-person training is key to helping people develop skills, adopt new habits and make lasting changes. The in-person approach to learning provides individuals with a broader range of benefits.
The purpose of this article is to examine in-person learning as a whole, its benefits, its importance, and why it is still relevant to online education.
What Is In-Person Learning?
In-person learning is any education or training delivered in an actual classroom, using traditional or project-based teaching methods. This type of education is well known for connecting with students and providing meaningful real-life experiences.
Also, with in-person learning, you benefit from the instructor’s personal experience and expertise. You can ask questions, get clarification, and even share ideas in this face-to-face environment.
Additionally, in in-person learning, you can expect instructors to explain new concepts and questions and instruct students on what they need to do to master a specific skill.
Attributes of traditional classrooms include various seating options, instructional material, and personal devices for each student.
In-person education is also most commonly delivered in brick-and-mortar buildings.
Why Is In-Person Learning Important?
In-person instruction offers hands-on learning plus an interactive dialog among those attending. With in-person learning, you work with others in a classroom.
You hear what others are saying and ask them questions, collaborate on projects, become inspired by their ideas, and meet people in your field of study. It is impossible to provide that level of interaction with online courses.
Also, in-person classes are crucial because it allows the teacher and student to get to know each other.
Students can work face-to-face with their teachers, which is usually more effective than online classroom curriculums.
What Are the Benefits of In-Person Learning?
Besides providing an interactive learning experience, in-person training teaches responsibility and leadership, as well as improving teamwork. It also offers you an opportunity to study with a group of friends in a more social environment.
Plus, live lessons mean more interaction with your classmates.
For hands-on learners and those who will use their skills immediately in the workplace, in-person learning is ideal.
Additionally, it is an excellent choice for those who need to learn in a more social setting. Also, it is ideal for those who have difficulty focusing until they become more comfortable with the information.
Additional benefits of in-person learning include:
1. Interaction in Person Is More Personal
Face-to-face interaction allows instructors to see subtle problems and identify learning issues.
Students easily ask questions and interact with their peers during events, conferences, or seminars.
Also, the benefits of in-person education are endless when we talk about interpersonal contact between teachers and students.
Additionally, in-person teaching creates a sense of community between teachers and their students that doesn’t exist in online courses.
Furthermore, instructors know their students individually instead of teaching hundreds of students at once online. It also allows instructors to counsel students on a more personal level and encourage them to continue their education.
2. Subjects Taught or Explained Face-To-Face Tend to Stick in Students’ Minds
Learners are more likely to recall and comprehend when taught interactively, so don’t leave their education to a computer or textbook. The in-person teaching technique lets you teach key concepts and develop study habits that can last a lifetime.
It keeps students motivated to learn. Plus, you interact with teachers in natural ways proven to beat the boredom of passive learning methods.
All these factors come together to give in-person learning the edge over other methods, whether used at home or in school.
In addition, face-to-face lectures are more effective for teaching challenging subjects because they help students remember and pass tests.
3. The Value of In-Person Learning Comes from Social Interactions
The social interaction that occurs in physical classes makes us better learners. There are so many psychological benefits that occur while taking physical location classes.
The more students communicate through face-to-face interactions with teachers and fellow students, the higher their understanding of course content, the greater their motivation for learning, and the scores on basic and complex courses.
In addition to following traditional lesson plans and real-time instruction, in-person classes also offer additional benefits like instructional interaction. It expands your understanding of the material and shared social experiences that add value to your education.
4. It Provides Easy Access to Experts
The physical classroom connects you to real-life experts without virtual walls. You will enjoy instructional interaction and in-person education rather than burying yourself behind a screen.
A physical classroom gives us instant access to experts, which is hard to find today.
Additionally, a growing number of companies now offer virtual training.
Most of these companies don’t even have local offices; they only operate online, making it impossible to determine just what you are paying for.
Unlike in-person learning, virtual classes are taught via recordings and require very little interaction with instructors.
Class methods offer an alternative, providing higher quality and impacting greater value.
5. There Will Be a Feeling of Trust and Inclusion
The benefits of attending meetings in person are significant and long-term. In-person learning creates a feeling of inclusion, trust, and equality among all participants.
With in-person education, everyone gets their say, and the discussion moves beyond a simple proposal/opposition dynamic. Also, in-person education drastically improves decision-making.
Attending in person nearly always creates a unique benefit for both the student and instructor. It greatly helps the student feel included and well-prepared.
A teacher’s hand gestures, facial expressions, tone of voice, and volume affect how well students understand a concept.
Students also pick up on how much the instructor loves their subject, and that enthusiasm can be very contagious!
6. You’re Able to Ask Questions in Real-Time
The benefits of attending classes or workshops in person include the ability to ask questions in real-time, meet other teachers in the same class, and connect with people after classes.
When you attend in-person training, you can share your thinking process and ask questions as needed. This helps you make corrections, reduce confusion, and boost your interest in a subject.
7. You Can Get Immediate Feedback from Teachers and Peers
If you exchange ideas face-to-face with your teachers or peers at school, you can receive immediate feedback. You can also get encouragement when you observe others learning new skills.
Instructional interaction will help you build confidence in your skillset by working directly with teachers. This can be helpful when you are honing in on a specific area of knowledge that may be difficult for you.
You can get extra help from your instructors when you need it, and they’re happy to answer your questions.
8. In-Person Learning Demonstrations and Visuals Stimulate the Brain
Text and screen-based content are harder to remember than demonstrative visuals. In-person educational techniques and materials can interest learners more than other media.
When teachers demonstrate things such as; science, art, and music, most students are more likely to learn, retain information better, and enjoy the class.
Students receive lessons in a classroom setting on professional equipment, allowing them to see and understand what they are learning. Learning is made interactive and exciting, helps develop confidence and attitude towards the subject, and can only happen in person.
9. The Feeling of Campus Gives Students a Support System
Every day, students learn from multiple sources: in-person lessons, instructional interaction, and study groups and clubs.
Interestingly, a recent study suggests that the benefits of in-person learning may extend beyond the classroom.
There’s evidence that students who perceive their campus as having a supportive community tend to develop more academic strategies and more positive views about learning. That leads to higher academic achievement over time.
Additionally, you can access a wealth of information at your fingertips, making it easier for you to keep up with new trends in your field.
10. In-Person Learning Gives You Lots of Chances to Make Mistakes and Improve
It’s all right to make mistakes and ask questions when learning something new in person. In-person education is about practice. Practice helps you get better faster than anything else.
The only way to get good at something is by doing it yourself. It’s all about getting in there, trying it, and letting the instructor teach you as you go along. It’s a chance to learn all kinds of new things, try them on your own, and see what happens.
In-person learning gives you lots of chances to make mistakes and improve. You can’t do that by reading a textbook or watching a video on the Internet.
But when you’re in a classroom, you have lots of opportunities to try your hand at new ways of learning before demonstrating what you’ve learned to your friends and family.
What Are the Disadvantages of In-Person Learning?
In-person instruction can be expensive, time-consuming, and sometimes even hard to find depending on who or where you are.
Another disadvantage of in-person learning is that there may be 20 students in the class from different backgrounds and levels of understanding.
Together, one instructor must find a way to reach all 20 students and help them learn effectively.
Additionally, unlike online learning which is available anywhere and at any time, in-person teaching requires you to travel to the location of lectures. That can be time-consuming and inconvenient for students with numerous responsibilities. It is also not an ideal means of education for those with a career.
FAQs
What makes in-person learning valuable?
The instructor-student interaction, the quality of the coursework and instructor, and the physical campuses provide an invaluable experience for a lifetime. While there are many valuable forms of education, learning in person is unmatchable.
Despite the appeal of online and blended learning, many employers and educational institutions want their employees or students to acquire critical skills in the classroom, in person.
Is online learning better than in-person learning?
Yes, in terms of convenience and accessibility, online education is better than in-person teaching. While online learning is different from in-person education, they both have their benefits.
Online classes have no age restrictions and allow you to learn at your pace, as anyone with an internet connection can access the class. However, in-person classes allow you to ask questions and receive immediate feedback.
Is in-person learning expensive?
Yes, in-person education is expensive when compared with virtual or online classes. Students who learn physically have to spend additional costs on transportation, hostels or boarding, and textbooks or course materials.
Still, it’s one of the most cost-effective ways to improve your knowledge or skills. It also does not face challenges associated with online learning like slow internet connection, device malfunction, or lack of immediate feedback to questions.
Conclusion
A conversation with someone sitting right across the table, face to face, can do wonders for your learning. Real relationships have formed around these interactions. That and many others are part of the perks of in-person learning.
I strongly believe that interactions with other people bring more benefits than simply interacting with a computer. And without a track of history and context, derived from previous interactions and studies, nothing can ever become better.
Additionally, in-person lectures are effective because students can determine the truthfulness of what they learn. Students discern this through the instructor’s presenting skills, body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice.
Finally, adaptive learning is a great way to tackle learning challenges instructors notice during in-person classes. This method relies on artificial intelligence and technology to personalize the student’s learning needs.
Discover how adaptive learning improves education and its benefits.
I hope you found this article helpful. Thanks for reading.
