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If you have ever tried learning a new skill, from how to fix an smartphone to learning a new programming language, chances are you found advice or training via an app or online video.

They say there is an app for everything - but there is also a YouTube video, a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC), a wikiHow, a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) and a user group or forum available to teach you just about anything.

The growth of online training and learning has revolutionised how we learn. Increasingly, learners are opting to study and train remotely by enrolling in virtual classes and MOOCs.

Advantages of online training

• Students can learn 'off site', perhaps in a remote area
• Students can learn at their own pace and work around the demands of their job and/or family life
• Students don't have to travel to a place of learning
• Students have access to a wide range of training and educational courses from all over the world
• Online learning is often free, or at a lower cost than traditional training courses

Disadvantages of online training

• Limited human interaction. Learners often benefit from group interaction and peer competition. This is often reduced when learning online
• Many online courses lack official accreditation. The qualification you receive may not be widely recognised
• Learners may feel isolated. This feeling of isolation can often de-motivate people as they don't have the support and reassurance the physical presence of a trainer can provide
• Online learning has an intense requirement for self-discipline
• All learners need to have access to a suitable computer
• Hardware and software faults or a poor internet connection can interrupt learning
• People who are not computer literate may struggle to learn online