Webinars: Bringing it Home

So, what's an online seminar (i.e., "webinar") for, anyway? You may be asking that question if this experience is new to you. But you may also be asking that question if it's not; in fact, you may be wondering "why a webinar and not a podcast?"

Well, the A.R.E. podcast is in development. We'll get there. In terms of delivering content that is portable and convenient to users, you can't beat a podcast. You can download a podcast like you download a song or a video clip or a file and listen to it on your computer whenever you want. You don't have to show up for the LIVE event. It's prerecorded. If you have an iPod or an mp3 player, you can even take the podcast with you wherever you go. Listen in the car or while you're exercising or whatever.

On the other hand, you have to actually show up at a certain time to be in on a webinar. You have to log on at the same time the presenters do. In other words, it's a LIVE event. This is a whole lot less convenient for people. So, why bother? Well, according to Ardeth Albee, a webinar can accomplish three main things:

• extend and develop conversations


• transfer knowledge


• grow a community of involvement around a topic

The key advantage of a webinar is that it has the potential of being INTERACTIVE. You can ask questions, make comments, suggest resources, learn from other participants, build on ideas, and be a part of a conversation. The number of people online with you at any given time determines, in a lot of ways, how much interactivity you can have and even how that interaction takes place. For example, in very large groups, you may have to write your thoughts; in smaller groups, you can actually talk to each other.

At A.R.E., one of our guiding principles is "Using Participative Processes." And a lot of what we do is to help our friends, partners, and clients put that principle into practice. So webinars, with all the potential they have for interaction, seem like a natural fit for us. We plan to explore the possibility during these next weeks and months. And we're looking forward to what you have to say about it. What do you like? What don't you like? What do you need? What would be most helpful for the people in your organization? It's not too late to register for tonight's webinar. CLICK HERE to go right to the registration page.

In the meantime, think about this: Instead of insisting that people physically come to you to get whatever it is you're offering, podcasting and webinars, each in their own way, take your message to people...wherever they live, work, and play. It helps you literally bring your message home to people. Is this something your organization could - and maybe should - be doing? What kind of impact could this technology help you have in the lives of the people you are serving? How could it help you begin to think "beyond the walls" of your organization?