---
title: What's so special about eLearning? Nothing, and Everything.
description: "eLearning or Classroom Training: Which is More Effective? What is so special about eLearning? Well, if you look at the evidence, nothing. Here’s what I mean ..."
image: https://blog.servicerocket.com/hs-fs/file-3011625897-jpg/blog-files/book-215x300.jpg
---

## [What's so special about eLearning? Nothing, and Everything.](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/blog/2013/08/elearning-vs-classroom-training)

Posted by [Bill Cushard](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/author/bill-cushard) on August 23, 2013

Find me on:

[Facebook ](http://www.facebook.com/billcush) [LinkedIn](http://www.linkedin.com/in/billcushard) [Twitter ](http://www.twitter.com/billcush)

## eLearning or Classroom Training: Which is More Effective?

### *What is so special about eLearning? Well, if you look at the evidence, nothing. Here’s what I mean. Numerous studies that show no significant difference in the effectiveness of learning between live, classroom training and online training.*

This is what I mean when I say there is nothing special about [eLearning](http://www.servicerocket.com/blog/2013/08/elearning-for-jira-fundamentals/). It is no more or less effective than live, classroom training. On the other hand, when you consider that many people *believe* eLearning is not as effective as classroom training, then the fact that evidence shows eLearning is every bit as effective as classroom training is remarkable.

[![elearning vs classroom](https://blog.servicerocket.com/hs-fs/file-3011625897-jpg/blog-files/book-215x300.jpg?width=215&height=300&name=book-215x300.jpg)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/hs-fs/file-3011625897-jpg/blog-files/book-215x300.jpg)

Ruth Clark and Richard Mayer cite many of these studies in their book, [*eLearning and the Science of Instruction*.](http://www.amazon.com/-Learning-Science-Instruction-Guidelines-Multimedia/dp/0470874309/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1377018058&sr=8-1&keywords=elearning+and+the+science+of+instruction)

Of course, there is a catch.

eLearning must be carefully planned and designed. According to a study reviewing the online education literature cited in the Clark and Mayer book (p. 20), participants who completed well-designed online courses learned significantly more than those who completed online courses that were poorly designed. So if you are a fast growing software company looking to scale by getting customers to adopt your product, use more features, and renew their subscriptions, one question you are asking about your growing need for customer training is probably, “Which will be more effective for our customers, live training or online training?”

This is not the right question.

The right question is not about which method is more effective. The right question is about how best to reach your customers. You may want a training program that provides a high-touch opportunity for your customers to interact with your brand and your product. Live classroom training is the right answer here. On the other hand, you may want to reach as wide an audience as possible, anywhere in the world. In this scenario, self-paced eLearning is the right answer.

In some cases, offering both methods is appropriate. Whichever method you choose, keep in mind what the evidence is telling us about eLearning: to be most effective, it must be well-designed, just like classroom training.

[![Read More about eLearning](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/296336/024f8b1b-f0a4-4d05-8377-a1626935e95b.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/296336/024f8b1b-f0a4-4d05-8377-a1626935e95b)

---

## * *![bill cushard servicerocket](https://blog.servicerocket.com/hs-fs/file-3011623557-jpg/blog-files/billsquare-300x300.jpg?width=300&height=300&name=billsquare-300x300.jpg)*About Bill Cushard*

[Bill](http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=6202032) became a training guy early in his career when a group of 20 new hires showed up and there was no trainer. When HR came looking to find someone to do the training, Bill yelled, "I'll do it!" He has been a trainer ever since.

Bill has built and led training organizations and eLearning projects at service organizations like E*TRADE, Accenture, and TimeWarner Cable.

He is the author of a blog, **[The LX Designer](http://thelxdesigner.blogspot.com/)**, where he shares knowledge on enterprise learning and is [active on Twitter](http://twitter.com/billcush) in the learning and training space.

 Topics: [eLearning](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/elearning), [Training](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/training)

| ![](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/a9890bd827682179ba7efa2520862398) | Written by [Bill Cushard](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/author/bill-cushard) Bill Cushard covers the intersection of learning, software adoption, and customer success. His career has focused on helping companies adopt disruptive software through learning, change management, communications, and implementations that help people get the most out the software. Bill Cushard is also the author of the 2018 book, *The Art of Agile Marketing: A Practical Roadmap for Implementing Kanban and Scrum in Jira and Confluence. * |
| --- | --- |

### Subscribe To Our Newsletter

### Interested in writing for the Software Adoption Blog?

We love connecting with software leaders and writers who can help us fulfill our mission to create entertaining AND educational resources that people can put to use.

[Find Out How ➝](https://info.servicerocket.com/guest-contributor-blogger-program-software-adoption-blog-1)

### Recent Posts

### Posts by Topic

- [Atlassian (145)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/atlassian)
- [Jira (82)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/jira)
- [Confluence (72)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/confluence)
- [Training (70)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/training)
- [Add-ons (43)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/add-ons)
- [Enterprise Software (39)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/enterprise-software)
- [Jira Tips (35)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/jira-tips)
- [Customer Success (30)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/customer-success)
- [Tech (28)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/tech)
- [Workplace by Facebook (25)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/workplace-by-facebook)
- [Enterprise Software Training Series (24)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/enterprise-software-training-series)
- [TrainingRocket Blog by ServiceRocket (24)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/trainingrocket-blog-by-servicerocket)
- [collaboration (20)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/collaboration)
- [eLearning (20)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/elearning)
- [Events (18)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/events)
- [Ideas (18)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/ideas)
- [Mini Lessons (17)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/mini-lessons)
- [Learning (16)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/learning)
- [Workplace (14)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/workplace)
- [Support (13)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/support)
- [Cloud (12)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/cloud)
- [Confluence Tips (12)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/confluence-tips)
- [Culture (12)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/culture)
- [Jira Service Desk (12)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/jira-service-desk)
- [Press (12)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/press)
- [Salesforce Connector (11)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/salesforce-connector)
- [Atlassian Platinum Partner (10)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/atlassian-platinum-partner)
- [Future of Work (10)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/future-of-work)
- [Salesforce (10)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/salesforce)
- [Start-ups (9)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/start-ups)
- [Apps (8)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/apps)
- [Atlassian Summit (8)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/atlassian-summit)
- [Data Center (8)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/data-center)
- [Facebook (8)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/facebook)
- [Scaffolding (8)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/scaffolding)
- [Monktoberfest (7)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/monktoberfest)
- [Security (7)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/security)
- [Employee Engagement (6)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/employee-engagement)
- [Reporting (6)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/reporting)
- [Software Adoption (6)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/software-adoption)
- [Zendesk (6)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/zendesk)
- [Communications (5)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/communications)
- [Encryption (5)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/encryption)
- [Future Workplace (5)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/future-workplace)
- [Stash (5)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/stash)
- [Tools for Success (5)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/tools-for-success)
- [Training is Customer Success (5)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/training-is-customer-success)
- [Agile (4)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/agile)
- [Atlassian Partner (4)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/atlassian-partner)
- [Atlassian Services (4)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/atlassian-services)
- [Bots (4)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/bots)
- [Dreamforce (4)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/dreamforce)
- [Managed Services (4)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/managed-services)
- [Passwords (4)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/passwords)
- [Testimonials (4)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/testimonials)
- [knowledge management (4)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/knowledge-management)
- [Connector (3)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/connector)
- [Help Desk (3)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/help-desk)
- [Integration (3)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/integration)
- [Jam Sessions (3)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/jam-sessions)
- [Jira Cloud (3)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/jira-cloud)
- [Jira Software (3)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/jira-software)
- [Linking (3)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/linking)
- [Live Video (3)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/live-video)
- [Metadata (3)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/metadata)
- [Project Management (3)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/project-management)
- [ServiceRocket Spotlight (3)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/servicerocket-spotlight)
- [Summit (3)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/summit)
- [Tips (3)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/tips)
- [Work Management Software (3)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/work-management-software)
- [communication (3)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/communication)
- [scrum (3)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/scrum)
- [sprint planning (3)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/sprint-planning)
- [Atlassian Licenses (2)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/atlassian-licenses)
- [Atlassian Training (2)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/atlassian-training)
- [BlueJeans (2)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/bluejeans)
- [Cascading Fields (2)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/cascading-fields)
- [Cloud migration (2)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/cloud-migration)
- [Community (2)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/community)
- [Company (2)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/company)
- [Consulting (2)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/consulting)
- [Content (2)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/content)
- [Crisis Management (2)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/crisis-management)
- [Customer Service (2)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/customer-service)
- [Email (2)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/email)
- [Employee Motivation (2)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/employee-motivation)
- [Enterprise Bots (2)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/enterprise-bots)
- [Español (2)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/español)
- [How to (2)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/how-to)
- [ITSM (2)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/itsm)
- [Implementation (2)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/implementation)
- [Incident (2)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/incident)
- [Internal Blogging (2)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/internal-blogging)
- [Jobs (2)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/jobs)
- [Leadership (2)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/leadership)
- [Learndot (2)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/learndot)
- [Live Streaming (2)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/live-streaming)
- [Pulse (2)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/pulse)
- [Safety Officer (2)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/safety-officer)
- [Scale employee engagement (2)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/scale-employee-engagement)
- [Service Delivery (2)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/service-delivery)
- [Shared Services (2)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/shared-services)
- [Silicon Valley (2)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/silicon-valley)
- [Team Oriented (2)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/team-oriented)
- [Templates (2)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/templates)
- [Transparency (2)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/transparency)
- [Visibility (2)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/visibility)
- [Work Management Tools (2)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/work-management-tools)
- [Workflow (2)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/workflow)
- [Workplace from Facebook (2)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/workplace-from-facebook)
- [business teams (2)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/business-teams)
- [communications platform (2)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/communications-platform)
- [marketing (2)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/marketing)
- [#WOL (1)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/wol)
- [AI (1)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/ai)
- [Agile Marketing (1)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/agile-marketing)
- [Atlassian Apps (1)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/atlassian-apps)
- [Atlassian Marketplace (1)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/atlassian-marketplace)
- [Attendance Taker (1)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/attendance-taker)
- [Best Practices (1)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/best-practices)
- [Book (1)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/book)
- [Brand (1)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/brand)
- [Building Customer Training (1)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/building-customer-training)
- [Certification (1)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/certification)
- [Chat Bot (1)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/chat-bot)
- [Chatops (1)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/chatops)
- [Company Culture (1)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/company-culture)
- [Conferences (1)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/conferences)
- [Connector Google Drive & Confluence (1)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/connector-google-drive-confluence)
- [Connector Salesforce & Jira (1)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/connector-salesforce-jira)
- [Converse AI (1)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/converse-ai)
- [Crosing the Chasm (1)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/crosing-the-chasm)
- [Dashboard (1)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/dashboard)
- [DevOps (1)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/devops)
- [Developers (1)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/developers)
- [DoubleDutch (1)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/doubledutch)
- [Dynamic Content (1)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/dynamic-content)
- [Dynamic Forms (1)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/dynamic-forms)
- [ESN (1)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/esn)
- [Emergency Plan (1)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/emergency-plan)
- [Enterprise Social Networking (1)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/enterprise-social-networking)
- [Excel (1)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/excel)
- [GSuite (1)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/gsuite)
- [Gartner (1)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/gartner)
- [Geoffrey Moore (1)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/geoffrey-moore)
- [Google Classroom (1)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/google-classroom)
- [Government (1)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/government)
- [Guide (1)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/guide)
- [Harvard Business Review (1)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/harvard-business-review)
- [HipChat (1)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/hipchat)
- [Hootsuite (1)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/hootsuite)
- [Hyfy (1)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/hyfy)
- [ITIL (1)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/itil)
- [Integrating Confluence and Jira (1)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/integrating-confluence-and-jira)
- [Integrations (1)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/integrations)
- [Internal Communication (1)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/internal-communication)
- [Interviews with Experts (1)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/interviews-with-experts)
- [Intranet (1)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/intranet)
- [Inventory Management (1)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/inventory-management)
- [JSM (1)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/jsm)
- [Kristy Traill (1)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/kristy-traill)
- [LMS (1)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/lms)
- [Learning Management System (1)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/learning-management-system)
- [Legal teams (1)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/legal-teams)
- [Live Templates (1)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/live-templates)
- [Lucidchart (1)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/lucidchart)
- [Moderate (1)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/moderate)
- [Open Broadcasting Software (1)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/open-broadcasting-software)
- [Open Source (1)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/open-source)
- [Page Approval (1)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/page-approval)
- [People (1)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/people)
- [Product Management (1)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/product-management)
- [Red Hat (1)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/red-hat)
- [Remote Attendance (1)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/remote-attendance)
- [Reports (1)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/reports)
- [Ryan Holmes (1)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/ryan-holmes)
- [SLA (1)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/sla)
- [Sales Team (1)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/sales-team)
- [Sean Ryan (1)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/sean-ryan)
- [Select Lists (1)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/select-lists)
- [Service Desk (1)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/service-desk)
- [Service Level Agreements (1)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/service-level-agreements)
- [Service Management (1)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/service-management)
- [ServiceRocket (1)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/servicerocket)
- [ServiceRocket Apps (1)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/servicerocket-apps)
- [Services (1)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/services)
- [Slack (1)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/slack)
- [Software (1)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/software)
- [Software Training (1)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/software-training)
- [Spreadsheets (1)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/spreadsheets)
- [Surveys (1)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/surveys)
- [Sydney (1)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/sydney)
- [Talk Social to Me (1)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/talk-social-to-me)
- [Team Homepage (1)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/team-homepage)
- [Training is Data (1)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/training-is-data)
- [Ursula Llabres (1)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/ursula-llabres)
- [Video (1)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/video)
- [Working Out Loud (1)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/working-out-loud)
- [chatbots (1)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/chatbots)
- [company values (1)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/company-values)
- [self-service (1)](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/topic/self-service)

[see all](https://blog.servicerocket.com/adoption/blog/2013/08/elearning-vs-classroom-training#)

![](https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5a677ce05577f10001188a29/5a7ca38ce85c8900015b85a3_ServiceRocket%20Full%20Lockup.svg)

 © Copyright 2019 ServiceRocket Inc. All rights reserved. ● [Privacy Policy](https://www.servicerocket.com/legaldocs/privacy-policy) ● [Terms & Conditions](https://www.servicerocket.com/legaldocs/privacy-policy)