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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