Webinars are live and interactive seminars delivered over the internet. Participants are connected to the presentation by their computer screen and, usually, a telephone line for audio reception. Participants are given a password, "click" into the session to receive the video part of the presentation and phone in to receive the audio portion. Users view the power point presentation, may share documents, view video clips and interact with the speaker and one another and sometimes view the speaker on a small screen.

Webinars are scheduled sessions at a specific time and date. Users log on from a computer and telephone to be connected to the speaker’s presentation and to all of the other participants. The presenter moves through their power point and explains and teaches just as they would if they were in the room.

Participants can ask questions in a number of ways - orally or chat boxes. They can hear other groups or individuals questions and the speaker’s responses - just as they would in a traditional face to face session.

Speakers provide hand outs prior to the sessions which users down load and print and may follow along with during the presentation.

Speakers involve the viewing audience in the session - asking people to stop and reflect if working individually or for people viewing in groups or teams for people to discuss issues and report back to the larger group. Live and Interactive webinars are powerful professional learning tools and can involve the audience in many ways. Participants process information in groups and have many options for participating using innovative tools to discuss, dialog and reflect.

Most frequently participants who take part in a live and interactive session have access to a saved or recorded version of the session for some time after the session so that they may refer back to it if you wish.

eSeminars are web based sessions that have been recorded and are available for use whenever the user wants to have access. Participants are connected to the presentation by their computer screen and audio. Users are given a password - click into the session to get the video part of the presentation and audio portion. Sometimes eSeminars are a recorded Webinar presentation that was done live and saved. Sometimes eSeminars are done specifically to be used in an ONDEMAND format. When participants purchase an ONDEMAND eSeminar they receive a password that entitles them to unlimited access for a specific amount of time (often an entire school year). Users you may view it when they choose and as many times as they wish. Sessions can be stopped and started up again in the place where left off.

If a session is purchased with certification it means there are a set of questions embedded in the session that requires the participant to complete to ensure that they viewed and that they interacted and completed the session. Lists of participants successfully completing the session are forwarded to the purchaser.

If a session is purchased without certification it means there are no questions the participant need respond to, in order to ensure the participant interacted with the session. However there is a print out available showing a list of those who viewed the session - the only difference (from with certification) is that the viewer does not have to answer questions to confirm they were interacting and listening.

You can use the live and interactive session - just as you would if you brought a speaker or presenter to your group or school for a workshop session. It is usually much more inexpensive.

You can provide access on a district wide or school wide level - for a very powerful staff development program that brings your faculty or team together and puts them on the same page.

Webinars can be customized to your needs - we can sometimes schedule events - of particular interest to your schools - when convenient.

Often we schedule Live and Interactive Webinars in a series - of 90 minute presentations done after school. This means participation can be done after school - when convenient for teachers and when they are available. If the after school session doesn’t work for your school - or if some of your teachers miss the session - then can view a saved recording of it - when it is convenient and appropriate for them.

On Demand eSeminars can be viewed as many times as one wishes and whenever one wishes and this provides many advantages.

eSeminars are most often best used as either; an individual’s personal professional development. The participant engages in the eseminar on their own. Often the learning takes place at a time and place convenient to the learner and on their own, or, in a facilitated group. Principals or teacher leaders “co-presenting” with the national authority on a subject that is of interest to the group or at a faculty meeting or professional development event.

Schedule a time to view that is convenient- day or night, during school hours,

Differentiate - for individual needs

Provide a repertoire of professional development opportunities to teachers - and serve a wide cross section of interests and needs

Provide a wide variety of opportunities to earn credit or professional development units

Use eSeminars as a kick off to creating dialog in your Professional Learning Community

Use eSeminars as you might with a book study group

Sessions can be distributed across many locations - providing an economy of scale

Sessions can be taken when and where convenient eliminating travel costs and time away from schools and classrooms

Sessions are delivered right to users desktops, or schools no time taken with travel

Workshops are booked and scheduled by providers eliminating workloads of district staff

Sessions can be scheduled for convenience - after school, during professional development sessions

Participants may choose the time of day of ONDEMAND sessions

Participants can choose the location to do their learning

Sessions can be scheduled at the time of year it is convenient.

A wide variety of programs can be offered - meeting diverse needs of districts, schools and individuals

Sessions can be adapted and aligned to the needs of districts, schools and individuals

The best authorities and presenters can be brought any where

Enables users to follow up with face to face or internet based sessions

Differentiation of learning styles and needs can be considered

Participants have the option of being connected, before and after sessions - inexpensively