We're talking about just 'ground training' here, right? While MS flightsim and X-plane are advanced, they're not up to the levels necessary for evaluation training when run on a standard consumer PC. Would the company ship you a yoke and software as part of your training package?

Who is doing it? Don't know that one.

Pros:

• cheap for the company
• standardized (no variation of instructor ability or individual classroom discussion)
• easily managed and controled dissemination of information

Cons:

• requires computer and internet access (what if pilot doesn't have a computer or internet access @ home if training is done out of base - yes, this is a legit issue for current 121 pilots, though perhaps not many regional FO's)
• lack of follow-up discussion of topics requiring additional explanation
• inability to monitor individual knowledge weaknesses of pilots
• lack of face-to-face interaction, the most effective learning technique (science based). CRM is perhaps one of the most important issues in airline flightdecks today - how do you teach CRM without personal interaction?
• security concerns (as previously mentioned)
• Most importantly, no ability to verify who actually sat for the training and evaluations (any 6 year old could sit in front of a computer and click through powerpoint slides, and a 'ringer' could be brought in to take the evaluations if done on-line off site)

The most effective training is done face to face. The interaction between humans is part of the natural learning process.

What is learned in ground school is often a reflection upon the quality of the instruction program, the ability and knowledge of the instructor, and the professionalism of the pilots in attendance; if any one of the 3 components is lacking, the end product, increased pilot knowledge, is compromised.

Captain training in particular would be the last course I'd want to see go on-line. The additional responsibilities of being the PIC are often interpersonal and varied, particularly in passenger service, where the PIC is expected to command a crew, not just another pilot or two. These types of difficulties are best taught, and more importantly, evaluated, in person.