Education Information

The term webinar has become widely used to describe many different types of online meetings. For the purposes of this paper we describe them as follows:

Webinar – a largely one way platform where the host and a panel of speakers present information to an online audience. Various forms of media can be shown by the panel. The audience can be invited to participate via polls and a chat function but usually would not be able to speak during the session. There are now lots of providers – some of the main ones are Zoom Webinar, Gotowebinar, and Webex webinar. Online Meeting – a fully interactive online meeting where all participants can participate usually by voice and video. Other functions are available including polling, whiteboards and chat function. Some platforms allow for attendees to be placed into breakout rooms and then be recalled to the plenary group.

Post pandemic – what’s happening

To varying degrees, unions are switching back to face to face provision whilst continuing with some online learning. This has seen all of the elements of online learning continuing (but less of it) together with the reintroduction of face to face programmes.

In the main there appears to be a separation of online training from face to face – i.e. blended learning is still not happening very much.

GFTU has piloted a blended course for workplace representatives which consisted of two days face to face training followed by three 2-hour online sessions. The first pilot course saw a significant drop off in attendance from the face to face course (14 attended the face to face course and 6 attended the online session). The WEA has extensive experience of delivering online learning and has developed systems to support its delivery. They have run learning programmes for educators on the effective delivery of online learning and have a lot to contribute to the debate.

Pros and cons of main online learning options

The following table lists some of the main advantages and disadvantages of the main online learning options.

There are some advantages and disadvantages that apply to all online delivery methods and these are:

Advantages:

- It can overcome some access issues for learners with travel difficulties, caring or other responsibilities, disabilities, etc by allowing access to learning opportunities from their own home.

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