Online Learning vs Blended Learning

What's the difference between online and blended learning? 

While online learning and blended learning are similar, there are some differences that might prompt you to choose one over the other.

What is online learning? 

Online learning - sometimes referred to as ‘distance learning’ - is an alternative to studying in a classroom, and most often chosen by those who want to learn at their own pace in their free time.

Online learning is offered by universities and virtual platforms alike, however, unlike classroom learning where you attend in-person lectures and seminars, online learning is typically self-taught and completed entirely online - making it a flexible way to advance your career on your own terms.

What is blended learning? 

In contrast to online learning, blended learning courses mix traditional face-to-face teaching with modern online learning experiences.

This typically means that you’ll follow a fixed schedule where you’ll attend a portion of your course sessions in-person, however, the majority of coursework and assignments are still completed online meaning you’ll still control some elements of time, place, and pace.

Which is better? 

When it comes to online learning vs blended learning, it’s difficult to say which is better as it really all comes down to your personal preference, your learning style, and what you can afford to accomplish in your already busy schedule.

If you’re someone who enjoys having some guidance and regular interaction with your instructors and fellow learners, then blended learning might be the ideal choice for you being that you’ll need to attend some sessions on-site - giving you the opportunity to touch base with those in the course and offer one another mutual encouragement.

The only catch is that you likely won’t get to choose the time or date that your face-to-face sessions fall on, meaning you’ll perhaps need to shake up your schedule to make blended learning work for you.

Alternatively, online learning tends to be the best choice for those people who need the added flexibility of learning in a way that shapes to their schedule rather than the other way around.

With online learning, however, you need to demonstrate a certain level of self-discipline being that instead of attending lectures face-to-face, you’ll study from home, work, or wherever is convenient for you.

This also means that all teaching, materials, and programme support is delivered online, and it’ll be your job to work through your coursework within the allotted time frame offered by your provider.

Learning with DPG

The great thing about learning with DPG is that we don’t just offer online learning or blended learning - we offer both!
Whether you want to start, advance, or excel your career in HR or L&D, we offer learners the option to study either online or via blended learning on any of our prestigious CIPD programmes, including:

• CIPD Level 3 Foundation Certificate in People Practice
  
• CIPD Level 5 Associate Diploma in People Management
  
• CIPD Level 5 Associate Diploma in Organisational Learning & Development
  
• CIPD Level 7 Advanced Diploma in Strategic People Management, and
• CIPD Level 7 Advanced Diploma in Strategic Learning & Development

Whether you choose to study with us 100% online or through one of our blended learning programmes, just know that you’ll get incredible support from a personal facilitator at each level as well as benefit from assistance from our expert programme advisors.

To add, we also offer 24/7 access to our award-winning DPG Community where you’ll find tons of useful HR and L&D content as well as access to insight from thousands of fellow professionals in your field.

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, all workshops in our blended programmes are being held online until further notice.


For more, download one of our free CIPD brochures today and unlock your potential.