Training vs teaching: differences and similarities

Training vs teaching are not the same thing. The core of teaching is knowledge. Training focuses on skills and abilities.

Knowing these differences is important in order to correctly understand not only their development, but also the objectives to be achieved and the results that can be obtained.

For the aforementioned reasons, we believe it is essential to focus this article by showing the definition of both concepts, as well as listing their differences and similarities. 

The latter will provide you with a global and enlightening vision of what each of them is.

What is training?

Training is the basis of experience and focuses on a learning model that is developed through practical actions.

The skills that are acquired or developed through training are aligned with the achievement of objectives that are reached through repetition and experience.

In addition to increasing the knowledge and skills base of the trainees, training prepares them to efficiently perform the jobs related to the coaching.

It is worth noting the increasing relevance of digital training in the society in which we live.

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What is teaching?

Teaching is the pillar of learning and focuses on the person acquiring knowledge through the theoretical understanding of the topics and the development of their cognitive skills.

This type of learning helps to develop the intellectual and emotional growth of students. To achieve such knowledge it is necessary for the learner to be able to understand and interpret new concepts, ideas and theories.

It also has the capacity to influence and change society’s thinking and help it overcome stereotypes and prejudices by shaping the way people think and act.

Training vs teaching: differences

Despite being similar and having education as the main foundation, there are many differences in the training vs. teaching binomial that you need to be informed about.

With that in mind and in order to show you their true scope, we have decided to present them by analyzing the following classification criteria.

Criteria	Teaching	Training
Meaning	An academic activity	A learning process
Person in charge	A teacher spread knowledge and concepts to the students	A professional or expert linked to a specific skill or job gives instructions and guidelines for learners’ performances
Approach	Rooted in theoretical and abstract principles	Rooted in action and practice
Purpose	The learner understand	The learner practice and gain first-hand experience
Outcome	Provision of new knowledge	Application of existing knowledge in a specific manner
Context	Independent	Specific
Reach	Global knowledge in different spheres	In-depth knowledge in a particular sphere
Time frame	The period of time is unlimited and long term	The period of time is immediate and short term
Resources	Based on teachers educational programs and on students’ self-initiative to broaden the horizons of their minds	Are provided depending on the training environment
Tone	Critical and skeptical	Enthusiastic and passionate
Medium	The main instrument is verbal and through processes	The main instrument is diagrammatic and based on models
Goals	Emphasizes cognitive skills, developes broad knowledge, nurtures curiosity, fosters critical thinking and creativity	Emphasizes the development of specific skills or behaviors in different goal-oriented sessions with the aim of completing a certain task
Work environment	Learning environment takes place at traditional classrooms at schools or universities	Instruction is provided in a board room or in different spaces specifically related to the performance needed

Training vs teaching: similarities

We have just shown you the differences between training vs. teaching and, as you have seen, they make up such a long list.

On the other hand, the similarities are much less than the differences, although they do exist and are important as well.

Among the similarities we suggest the main following ones. 

	Teaching	Training
Goals	Educate participants regardless of the methods and educational processes used for it
Tone	Teachers and trainers use an enthusiastic and supportive tone to welcome learners and prepare them for their future roles and positions
Independence	Give the flexibility to create own programs though the processes will vary and will be different in each case
Requirements	Teachers and trainers have similar basic skills to perform their assignments. Once the process is up and running, the skills required will be specific and proprietary
Purpose	Long term employees development
Measurement & Analysis	The results of both can be measured and their compliance analyzed. Depending on the results, corrective measures can be applied.

At Smowltech we think about our clients’ needs and with them in mind we have developed customizable proctoring plans that offer different secure remote monitoring environments that are respectful of your students.

Through them, we want to help you from the very beginning so that you establish a beneficial relationship of trust with the most talented profiles that your educational project requires.

Don’t hesitate and request a free demo. Let us show you the way we can help you and the solutions we can provide for your project.

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