Webinars

A webinar, or Web-based seminar, is a live seminar delivered over the Internet.  Similar to webcasts and Web conferencing, webinars deliver information to audiences using technology and Internet capabilities.  However, unlike webcasts, webinars allow for interactivity between the presenter and the audience.  Webinars are gaining popularity due to their being convenient, easy to set-up, and relatively inexpensive.

Features

Webinars use special software to broadcast live presentations to audiences over the Internet.  Audience members access the presentation using computers that are connected to the Internet.  Some webinars use the Internet coupled with telephone conferencing while others use Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology to allow for interactivity using the Internet.  One of the key features and benefits of webinars is the interactivity between the presenter and the audience.  Unlike a webcast, which is a one-way feed from presenter to audience, webinars allow the presenter and audience to communicate with each another.

Special software applications are needed to enhance the presentation through:

  • screen-sharing (from presenter to audience)
  • recording of the presentation
  • transmission of voice, audio, and data
  • distribution of surveys or questionnaires

Many companies use software applications like Microsoft Teams, GoToMeeting.com, and WebEx for their webinar needs. Prices, bandwidth, and required equipment all need to be considered when choosing the right software for an organization’s needs.

Benefits

Webinars are generally used for informational or educational purposes.  Organizations like the Society for Technical Communication (STC) can reduce expenses through the elimination or reduction of travel and site costs by delivering information using a webinar platform as opposed to the traditional live seminar platform.  Webinars appeal to people and organizations who want to achieve maximum output with minimal resources.  Once webinar software has been purchased, presentations can be created and broadcast with very little overhead.  Audience members can participate in webinars from the office, home, or any location with a computer, Internet service, and a telephone if teleconferencing is being used.  Not only will the organization benefit from reduced expenses and the ability to reach large audiences, but they will also be able to save a copy of the presentation for future reference or use.  While the loss of face-to face contact may not appeal to some people, the convenience of being able to reach large audiences in a dynamic and interactive way using minimal resources makes webinars a valuable tool for organizations.

STC uses webinar technology to provide information to its members.  STC members have the opportunity to attend webinars on a variety of subjects without having to travel.  Members like Marcia Houston, who is interested in specialized training from STC or Caroline Landry who would like to participate in a management training program can benefit from STC webinars. Webinars are effective options for organizations like STC whose members and contributors are spread out across the globe.  Audience members get the benefit of a classroom or business meeting environment without changing their physical location.

View the webinars currently offered by STC.

External Web Sites

Credits

Stephanie Mooring.

Providing technical communication > Collaboration > Working in teams > Technologies enabling team communication > Web 2.0