Online Train the Trainer Courses: Are They as Effective as Classroom Training?

A new study from Dublin City University's National Institute for Digital Learning has compared learning outcomes for online and classroom-based Train the Trainer programmes, providing the most rigorous evidence to date on the effectiveness of online delivery for this type of qualification. The findings have significant implications for training organisations, employers, and individuals considering which delivery format to choose.

The Study

The study followed 240 participants completing QQI Level 6 Train the Trainer programmes across four providers — two delivering primarily online and two delivering primarily in the classroom. Participants were assessed on knowledge acquisition, practical skills development, and confidence in training delivery at the end of their programme and again six months later.

Key Findings

The study found no statistically significant difference in knowledge acquisition between online and classroom participants at programme completion. Both groups demonstrated equivalent understanding of training theory, needs analysis, and assessment principles.

However, the study found a significant difference in practical skills confidence at programme completion, with classroom participants reporting higher confidence in their ability to manage group dynamics and respond to unexpected situations in the training room. This gap had largely closed by the six-month follow-up assessment, suggesting that the practical experience gained through early training delivery compensates for the reduced opportunity for in-person practice during online programmes.

Implications for Programme Design

The study authors recommend that online Train the Trainer programmes incorporate structured peer practice sessions — live video sessions in which participants take turns delivering short training segments to their peers — to replicate the group dynamics experience that classroom programmes provide naturally.

Abertay Training's online Train the Trainer programme incorporates this approach, with dedicated peer practice sessions built into every cohort. Details are available at TrainTheTrainer.biz.