A randomized controlled trial was conducted in tertiary level center to compare the effectiveness of Webinars (WL) vs. Participatory learning (PL) on Essential Newborn Care (ENBC) in terms of acquisition of knowledge and skills of pre-service 6th semester student nurses. They were randomized to receive teaching on four topics of ENBC by two facilitators. Gain in knowledge and skill scores in ENBC were measured using validated assessment methods. Baseline characteristics including age, education, marks and hours of internet surfing were comparable between two groups (WL: n = 28, PL: n = 30). Pre-training mean knowledge scores in WL and PL group (mean ± SD) (30.96 ± 5.62 vs. 31.43 ± 4.74 p = 0.42), and skill scores (19.14 ± 3.37 vs. 19.20 ± 3.71 respectively, p = 0.77) were comparable. Training methods resulted in equal gain in knowledge in both groups. Satisfaction scores among the participants were also comparable. Thus, using webinars on ENBC as new technology in class room teaching may be an effective, alternative method to using participatory learning.