Best Learning Method

Interesting question given all the interest in online education. Some things are good for remote learning. But I'm fairly old-school in this respect: the classroom setting with a discussion and reading works best for me, especially if it is new material. I this works because of the discussion in the class. I just don't think it's the same with online learning. Of course, if you were brought up on remote learning perhaps it would work for you. I'll concede to that. But I have been an instructor a long time ago; most students don't engage; you have to engage them and that is only done in a classroom or tutoring situation.

I think that a lot depends on the classroom setting. I've been in classroom type settings where it has been 'death by PowerPoint' for five consecutive days with the instructor reading word-for-word  direct from PowerPoint slides in a slow monotonous voice, with no interaction.

In that sort of scenario, I would much prefer just to have a copy of the slide content and be reading it at home in a comfortable chair at a comfortable room temperature at my own pace, knowing that I can pause for a rest break / refreshments when I want.

I have found that the classroom settings generally work better if people have read through the material in their own time / at their own pace and then the classroom is used for discussion / worked examples / projects. Some people refer to this as the 'flipped classroom'. However that only really works if everyone does the prep work, otherwise you can end up slipping back to 'death by PowerPoint' type scenarios.

One of the problems with the on-line approach is that it takes a certain degree of self discipline for some people to engage in the learning process. Also there is the problem of interruptions - if you are on a classroom course then people tend to leave you alone, whereas if you are trying to do it on-line in the office, then people seem to think it is ok to interrupt you.

Another problem these days is perhaps getting access to classroom courses in the subject areas you are trying to learn about. Some vendor training centres are pretty remote and difficult to get places on, whereas a lot generally have something available on-line that is relatively quick and easy to access.

I think that a lot depends on the classroom setting. I've been in classroom type settings where it has been 'death by PowerPoint' for five consecutive days with the instructor reading word-for-word  direct from PowerPoint slides in a slow monotonous voice, with no interaction.

In that sort of scenario, I would much prefer just to have a copy of the slide content and be reading it at home in a comfortable chair at a comfortable room temperature at my own pace, knowing that I can pause for a rest break / refreshments when I want.

I have found that the classroom settings generally work better if people have read through the material in their own time / at their own pace and then the classroom is used for discussion / worked examples / projects. Some people refer to this as the 'flipped classroom'. However that only really works if everyone does the prep work, otherwise you can end up slipping back to 'death by PowerPoint' type scenarios.

One of the problems with the on-line approach is that it takes a certain degree of self discipline for some people to engage in the learning process. Also there is the problem of interruptions - if you are on a classroom course then people tend to leave you alone, whereas if you are trying to do it on-line in the office, then people seem to think it is ok to interrupt you.

Another problem these days is perhaps getting access to classroom courses in the subject areas you are trying to learn about. Some vendor training centres are pretty remote and difficult to get places on, whereas a lot generally have something available on-line that is relatively quick and easy to access.

Well, I'll agree with you about the "death by powerpoint" approach. It doesn't work for me, either. Teachers who bore you to death with powerpoints are not good instructors.

Good classroom instruction isn't throwing up powerpoints (you don't need a prof or classroom for that). The classroom is about transcending the material and the "crowdourcing" of knowledge by the participants.

It's about engagement and building relationships as much as it is about learning what transistors, inductors or capacitors do.

Part of the problem is how people are hired to teach. They may have a degree in physics or electronics or IS, but they are HORRIBLE people to put in front of a class because they were hired for the wrong reasons.

Good classroom teachers are artists -- they "wow" you with their performance and bring out the nuances of the subject that get you excited about learning. For most part, I'd say most STEM classroom teachers are D to D-. IMO