In-person training is very effective and has the benefit of direct interaction and greater adaptability: you can change methods or the focus of content according to learner needs, you can answer questions quickly and develop a conversation, you can ensure everyone participates fairly equally. However, it is very limited in scale and requires a large time and energy commitment, both for the trainer and the participants. E-learning has the advantage of reaching a greater range of participants and of allowing learners greater flexibility in when and where they learn. It also has a permanence: even if people move out of institutions or projects end or pandemics happen, an e-learning resource or course will remain available. 

Here is a infographic that summarises these differences: 

In this lesson we will learn some techniques for how to build a e-course/online training resources, some of which you have already experienced, as well as considering the particular needs of online learners.

Types of online learning:

• Recorded lectures/talks
• How-to videos
• Podcasts
• Resources (videos, factsheets, etc.)
• Webinars
  
• Online workshops/classes
• E-learning courses
• MOOCs 

Can you think of more?

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