Sep 13 2008
Webinar Research
I started my research into webinars and have uncovered some interesting information.
The word webinar is derived from a combination of both web and seminar. It is most commonly used to describe or denote a form of online conferencing, where participants interactive live using both telephone and online or internet technologies. The term is now commonly used inplace of web conferencing.
“A key feature of a Webinar is its interactive elements — the ability to give, receive and discuss information. Contrast with //Webcast//, in which the data transmission is one way and does not allow interaction between the presenter and the audience” <http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/W/Webinar.html>
Not that till now i was aware of it but i have been using webinars for training in my own work place for some time. We use a form of training that we refer as virtual classroom. The platform is provided to us by an outside organisation called ‘genesis’. They provide the service and manage the accounts. As we provide technical training in automotive new model technology, the webinar approach proves an effective means of providing staff throughout our franchise dealer network a quick overview of the new model technologies. For the dealer staff the advantage is that there is no need to leave their workplace and attend a face to face session elsewhere. The sessions are quick and to the point. And they can be delivered when and where it is most convient to do that. Our exprience has been for the most part positive, with the approach generally well accepted. At first we exprienced some resistance as the technology was first introduced and we had initial ‘bugs’ to ‘iron out’ however in time it has worked well for all involved.
