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Why In Person Continuing Education Credits Are More Effective than On Line

thillphd

Updated: Jan 19




Continuing education is essential for professionals to stay updated with the latest industry standards, improve their skills, and maintain certifications. While online courses have gained popularity due to their convenience, in-person continuing education credits (CEs) remain a more effective method for ensuring long-term knowledge retention and practical application. Below, we outline why in-person CEs are superior to online options, supported by relevant statistics and an industry example.


1. Deeper Engagement and Interaction

In-person continuing education sessions offer more dynamic and engaging experiences. Trainers can interact with participants directly through:

  • Hands-on demonstrations

  • Group exercises

  • Real-time feedback sessions


These interactive methods (such as CE for the SOUL retreats) foster better understanding of complex topics compared to the passive learning typical of online courses. In-person settings encourage professionals to actively engage with the material, ask questions, and participate in discussions that reinforce learning.


Example: During an in-person legal ethics seminar, participants role-play real-world scenarios to better understand ethical dilemmas. This hands-on approach results in a 30% higher retention rate compared to participants who completed the same seminar online, where practical application was limited.


2. Enhanced Focus and Accountability


In-person retreats provide a structured learning environment that helps reduce distractions. Professionals attending live training are less likely to multitask or become disengaged, which is a common issue with online courses.


In contrast, virtual learning often occurs in environments where distractions such as emails, phone calls, or family interruptions are prevalent. Being physically present in a training room creates a sense of accountability and focus that cannot be replicated online.


3. Immediate Feedback and Problem Solving


In-person continuing education allows participants to receive immediate feedback from instructors and peers. Trainers can address questions and concerns on the spot, ensuring that participants fully understand the material before moving on.


This real-time problem-solving capability is crucial for professions that require practical application of knowledge, such as healthcare, law, or accounting. Online courses often rely on delayed responses via chat or email, which can hinder the learning process.


4. Building Professional Networks


Attending in-person continuing education retreats provides professionals with networking opportunities that are difficult to achieve through online courses. Face-to-face interactions help build:

  • Professional relationships

  • Peer support systems

  • Mentorship opportunities


These connections are especially valuable for individuals seeking career advancement or collaboration within their industries. In-person events often spark discussions that lead to innovative ideas and solutions.


5. More Memorable Learning Experience-ALL INCLUSIVE GETAWAY RETREATS


People tend to remember experiences more than digital content. In-person continuing education retreats at CE for the SOUL offer:

  • Interactive and fun learning

  • Real-world case studies

  • Collaboration with colleagues

  • Meet and connect with other professional women just like you

  • The opportunity for self care and a chance to unplug from the day-to-day work week


These immersive experiences leave a lasting impact on participants and increase the likelihood of applying the knowledge in their professional lives. Our retreats have been rated as a "best experience" by our participants for continuing education learning and all around retreats.


Supporting Statistics on Continuing Education Effectiveness


According to a study by The Learning Guild, participants in in-person continuing education sessions have a 25-30% higher retention rate compared to those who complete online courses. Additionally, research from Training Industry, Inc. shows that professionals are twice as likely to complete in-person training sessions compared to online courses, which often suffer from high dropout rates.


A survey conducted by The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) found that 78% of professionals prefer in-person continuing education for topics that require hands-on learning, such as compliance, ethics, and leadership training. Moreover, 32% of learners preferred a social element included in their training.


Example: Healthcare Continuing Education


In the healthcare industry, continuing education is critical for maintaining licenses and staying updated on the latest theories, practices and current trends. Studies have found that professionals who attended in-person workshops demonstrated a 35% higher practical application rate of new knowledge compared to those who completed online modules and had lower drop out rates for live seminars like CE for the SOUL retreats compared to online learning. Why? At CE for the SOUL, we offer immediate live feedback, opportunities for experiential learning, dyads and triads to practice what you are learning, as well as fun, lively discussion, questions and answer periods and a safe, soulful environment to ask the questions you have without feeling silly or stupid.


Conclusion


While online continuing education provides convenience and flexibility, in-person continuing education delivers superior learning outcomes in an enriched, pampered environment by promoting deeper engagement, focus, real-time feedback, networking, and memorable learning experiences. The long-term benefits of in-person CEs at CE for the SOUL make the time and cost a worthwhile investment for professionals like you who are seeking to improve your skills (or simply stay on top of your game) and maintain certifications and licensures.


So, if you're looking to earn continuing education credits that truly make an impact, consider attending a CE for the SOUL retreat. Learning in a collaborative, hands-on environment ensures that the knowledge gained will stick—and that you'll be better prepared to apply it in your career and come home a better human.

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Please note that we take cancellations seriously as space is quite limited for CEs for the Soul retreats. Our cancellation and refund policy, which you wholeheartedly agree to when you book an activity/excursion with us, is as follows: (a) cancellations made within 24 hours of booking result in a full refund to you, minus any credit card processing fees; (b) cancellations made more than 120 days from the retreat start date may transfer their retreat ticket to an open retreat within twelve months. See below for more information. (c) cancellations made 90 – 119 days before the start date of the retreat, result in a 50% refund to you; (d) cancellations made 60 - 89 days before the start date result in a 25% refund to you; (d) cancellations made less than 60 days from the start date will not result in any refund at all. We do not offer any type of refund or credit if you arrive late, leave early, or only partially participate in an activity, excursion or program.

 

Cancellations more than 120 days from the retreat start date - you have the option to transfer your retreat ticket to any open retreat within twelve months for a per person fee of $200 in addition to any price difference that is associated with purchase price of the attendee's retreat and room choice. The transfer MUST be requested within 120 days before the retreat start date and is applicable to open space availability. NO refunds, partial refunds, or transfer requests will be honored less than 120 days from the retreat start date. We highly recommend travel insurance to cover you for any unforeseen events.

 

If you leave early or do not fully participate in the programming – it will affect your ability to obtain the full CEs provided for each retreat. We do give partial credit for the programming portions  you attend. We offer the full credits for the entire retreat and its corresponding programming. Activities and excursions (e.g., those not part of the CE program) are not considered as not participating for full CE credits but are subject to the same cancellation terms. Therefore, it would be beneficial to make sure you are available for the full CE for the Soul retreat so you can benefit from the full CEs provided to you.

 

​Photos may not accurately depict rooms or locations.

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info@ceforthesoul.com | Bethlehem, PA 18018 | 484.896.9161

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