Engaging content is essential to webinar success.
A webinar is a seminar that is taught over the Web . It is, therefore, a training proposal that is carried out through videoconferences .
It is important to indicate that webinar is an Anglicism that is not part of the dictionary of the Royal Spanish Academy ( RAE ). According to FundéuRAE , it is preferable to opt for webinar (which is included in the dictionary) or web seminar , although webinar is already a frequently used term in our language. Other valid forms are cyberseminar and online seminar .
Features of a webinar
A webinar is an educational presentation whose transmission is carried out via the Internet . Typically, the webinar is broadcast live and the audience (following the actions from a computer or phone) can intervene through comments and questions. It is common that, once the seminar concludes, it is available online so that other people can watch the virtual conference, logically without the possibility of having interactivity with the speaker in a live chat.
A webinar recording , therefore, increases the reach of the original stream . The combination of live streaming and recording for later viewing of the presentation makes this type of educational content one of the most popular options in electronic learning ( e-learning ).
Although all virtual seminars share certain characteristics, each webinar platform has its own particularities. Google Meet , Zoom , Skype , GoToWebinar , Webex , Adobe Connect and Microsoft Teams are some of the resources that can be used to develop webinars.
A webinar can function as an online tutorial or a virtual work session.
Classification according to type
Webinars can be classified in different ways. The live webinar is also often referred to as an interactive webinar , since it allows viewers to intervene.
In some cases, the conferences do not have an original live broadcast , but are recorded so that each person can watch the presentations when they want. In this framework we talk about on-demand webinar .
Another classification differs according to the access mode. A paid webinar requires a financial outlay from those who wish to follow the actions, unlike what happens with a free webinar .
There are webinars that are part of a digital marketing strategy.
Webinars in training proposals
A webinar can be an isolated activity, which is carried out for a specific purpose and ends once the dissertation concludes. However, many times it is a tool that is part of a larger training proposal, such as an online course .
In this sense, it is common for webinars to be integrated into a MOOC ( Massive Open Online Course ). In the training program of these courses, webinars, podcasts, e-books and other tools that contribute to virtual training and remote learning can coexist.
Take the case of a history course . Students can attend different webinars (on medieval history, Latin American independence movements, war conflicts and other topics), consult e-books and exchange information in an online forum. To start studying and participating, all you have to do is complete the registration form, meet the corresponding requirements and have an Internet connection.
Other applications
It should be considered that a webinar, although it always has a pedagogical or training intention, is not only useful in the strictly educational field. Online seminars are part of the world of business and communication in different ways.
Companies with global reach and those that opt for teleworking often use webinars to train their employees and even to share information. Creating an online community and using platforms that include videoconferencing makes it easier for managers to instruct workers, transmitting concepts about the corporate philosophy and giving them guidelines for daily tasks. This also contributes to continuous professional development .
There are companies, on the other hand, that take advantage of the webinar as an information session. They can offer a product demonstration webinar and present high-quality content for customer loyalty .
In journalism, a virtual press conference can take the format of a webinar. A mayor or mayor, in this framework, can call a virtual meeting with the media and make an online presentation, then opening the possibility of answering questions to reporters.
Tips for holding a webinar
Experts usually give a series of tips to conduct a successful webinar:
- Define the topic : The choice must be precise and the speaker must have the necessary knowledge to provide useful information to the public.
- Identify the audience : It is key to determine who the seminar is aimed at.
- Design the content : The data must be specified and organized.
- Select resources : Beyond video conferencing, you can opt for slide presentations, include a survey tool, etc.
- Communication of the proposal : It is important to have a dissemination strategy to attract the audience.