Webinar Oberservations

Over the past few years, I've participated in many different webinars, usually related to education. The free webinars are a mixed bag - sometimes they are inspiring, other times they are a yawn. Here are my observations:

The Good Webinars are...

• clearly defined 
• well advertised
• on-trend
• well-taught
• recorded and archived

The Bad Webinars are...

• boring
• uninspiring
• confusing

The Ugly Webinars are...

• thinly veiled advertising for another (paid) course or product
• a waste of time

The worst webinars have presenters who don't present any new content. Instead, they talk about how wonderful a particular product or methodology is, without ever providing a clear definition or demonstration. I've attended webinars where the first twenty minutes are spent introducing the presenters. Here's a tip: give your audience an amazing webinar, and a link to your curricula vitae.

The best webinars are inspiring and intriguing. They leave you with practical information and the desire to know more.  Great webinars stimulate conversation on Twitter and Google+.

The webinar format is perfect for delivering professional development on the go to teachers and administration. However, it's only as good as the facilitator. I encourage you presenters out there to think through your talks, streamline the message, engage your audience, add to the conversation, and change the world - one educator at a time.