Live vs. later: What’s the best way to learn?
In this age of streaming, on-demand, curbside pickup, and instant everything, it only makes sense that taking a course by watching videos when it’s convenient for you has to be the better way to go, right? Can’t sleep? Get out of bed and learn something. Get a last-minute invite to a BBQ? Skip class and do your learning later. Distracted by the cat walking on your keyboard? Rewind and the instructor will repeat herself word for word.
It just makes so much sense. Except, of course, until it doesn’t.
So, before you sign up for a video-based course, known in the instruction world as “asynchronous learning,” consider this highly biased advice from a school that’s been teaching courses live for the past pre-YouTube 52 years.
Strike One: There is no classroom buzz with video-based learning.
With in-person classes, and even Zoom classrooms, there is an unmistakable energy that comes from getting a bunch of people together who share the same career goals. In the live world, discussions flow freely, questions get bounced around, and the class turns into a melting pot of diverse perspectives. That’s not just hard to replicate when you’re learning solo while watching a video. It’s impossible.
Strike Two: Videos can’t answer your questions right now.
Grasping the concepts of, say, how to conduct a tree test or using the auto-layout feature in Figma to wrap multiple elements can be stumpers if the video you’re watching didn’t explain what to do in a way that sticks with you. While you can watch and re-watch a video, you can’t say “Could you go through that again a little differently?” or “What do you do if the Figma plug-in didn’t install properly?” In a live class with an experienced instructor and an ever-helpful TA, the chances of your brain being left in the dust are next to nil.
Strike Three: Video-based classes are too easy to blow off.
Successful learning involves equal parts of motivation and accountability. With all the demands on your time, and the allure of a multitude of distractions, actually making yourself sit down to watch learning videos is harder than it sounds.
This is where the seeming convenience of asynchronous learning bumps up against human behavior. Indeed, LinkedIn reports that the completion rate for online classes hovers at around 10%. It’s pretty tough for a class to teach you something if you don’t go.
With a live class, on the other hand, you become part of a tribe of knowledge-seekers. The camaraderie and support from peers create an atmosphere and accountability that drives you to show up, participate, and go the extra mile. So, for that matter, does the simple act of having the instructor take attendance.
Strike Four: An instructor on a video isn’t going to join your job-hunting network.
That old saying about “it’s who you know” remains ever-so-true when it comes to job hunting. You need connections, and ideally ones with very senior, very connected, well-respected pros.
Those relationships are difficult to develop when you watch someone on a video. Schmooze them all you want, but the medium of a pre-recorded video means they can’t answer back and make you part of their circle.
The flip side shows up when you take a live class. When you’re in the room — IRL or via Zoom — with experienced instructors, they’ll get to know your name, your work, and your career objectives. In short, you’ll build relationships, which means your instructors can steer you toward their friends and colleagues who can help you at job-hunting time.
There is absolutely a time and place for learning from asynchronous videos. Ever try to replace a bathroom faucet, put type on a curved path in Illustrator, or use a pastry bag for cake decorating without them? They’re indispensable.
But, if you’re trying to get smart about an entire design discipline overflowing with nuance, subjectivity, and complexity, video learning falls short. Our advice instead is to sign up for live classes. Then, after your class is over, reward yourself by watching a more entertaining asynchronous video. Ted Lasso, perhaps?
Larry Asher is the director of the School of Visual Concepts, a professional development training center that’s been helping designers and marketers advance in their careers for more than 50 years. SVC offers a year-long certificate program in UX Design and Content Design. All classes are taught live via Zoom. SVC has also led professional development team training sessions for Amazon, Nestle, Starbucks, Brooks Running, Zillow, Microsoft, the University of Washington, T-Mobile, and many others.
