Webinar or Online Course_ Which One Should You Choose In 2020
                     HENRY HARVIN EDUCATIO
N
WEBINAR OR ON
LINE COURSE: W
HICH ONE SHOU
LD YOU CHOOSE
 IN 2020?
PLANNING TO 
ATTEND AN 
ONLINE CLASS?
CONFUSED 
BETWEEN 
WEBINAR OR 
ONLINE 
COURSE?
WHICH IS THE 
BEST BET IN 
2020?
The education industry is going through a very difficult time in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The lockdown has severely 
impacted the sector which is closed since the second week of March. Students across the globe are losing their valuable time 
and resource during the imposed lockdown.  It is the online platforms like Skype and Zoom that came into the rescue of the 
education sector. Most of the schools and colleges are conducting online sessions instead of wasting time due to the delay in 
reopening the schools, colleges and universities.
Online platforms help teachers to interact with students 
from the convenience of their home during the 
lockdown. The resources needed is a digital media like 
laptop, mobile phone or tab, and wi-fi network for high-
speed internet and an account in the digital platform. 
The scope and reach of online classes broaden to far 
greater horizons than we ever imagined.
The online platform offers unique opportunities for people 
who would otherwise have limited access to education 
because of their busy schedule. The advantages of online 
learning are it is easily accessible, budget friendly, time 
convenient, personalised, flexible and above all, during the 
time of Covid-19 social distancing norms can be exercised.
In response to the increasing demands, along with schools 
and colleges many institutions have also started e-learning 
options in 2020. Webinars, online courses, podcast, web 
conference, etc are some of the live online modes of class. 
Even though people are familiar with these terms, they get 
confused while choosing the right mode of learning. This 
article helps you to differentiate between a webinar and an 
online course and how to choose between the same wisely.
What is a webinar?
A webinar and an online course come under the category of live 
online learning. The term webinar is coined from web and 
seminar, i.e., web-based seminars. Webinar is an online learning 
event attended only by the online audience. The annual growth 
of webinar is steadily increasing as it is cheaper, effective, live 
and interactive.
Webinars have become an essential ingredient during the 
lockdown not only in the education sector but also in the 
business world. The trending webinars that people are 
undertaking during the lockdown includes education webinars, 
employee training, product demonstration, corporate 
communication, lead generation, customer retention and brand 
management.
What is an online 
course?
An online course is a new genre of face to face physical 
classroom. These courses deliver the modules through a digital 
platform where the trainer interacts with the learners online and 
deliver a series of lesson. The main components of an online 
course are information, communication and assessment.
There are different types of online courses like university 
courses, massive open online course, company training courses, 
e-learning sites and personal brands. Online courses are further 
divided into synchronous and asynchronous online course. 
Synchronous online course is a form of live stream where a 
teacher shares information in real time and the trainee can 
interact with the trainer live, in real time. On contrast, an 
asynchronous course is where a student goes through the lesson 
at their own pace. All learning materials and recorded videos 
will be shared with the students for a particular period of time 
and they can undergo training depending on their free hours.
DIFFERENCE 
BETWEEN 
WEBINAR AND 
ONLINE 
COURSE
Webinar is a live teaching Once the webinar invitation is The duration of a webinar In a webinar the trainer 
session which offers a broad shared, huge number of lasts from 30 to 60 minutes.  delivers his prepared content 
range of various topics. It is people can attend a webinar The length of an online and keep the session open for 
usually followed by a without any registration as course varies from course to question and answer session 
question answer session webinars are usually course and institution to at the end. In an online 
where the participants can conducted free of cost. institution. Those who have course the trainer tries to 
ask questions to the speaker. Online course on the other attended a webinar will given facilitate the experience of 
Online classes are e-learning hand is open only to a closed participation certificate and the attendees’ which makes 
which concentrates on group who are registered for online courses provide course the session more interactive. 
particular topic in-depth. Live the programme. Online completion certificate. Unlike Attendees will be given tasks 
online classes are more courses are usually paid webinar online courses have and assignments in an online 
interactive. The content of a ones, but much cheaper assignment and tests for course which will be analysed 
webinar divides into opening, compared to live classroom assessment before giving the and feedback will be given by 
body and closing. Whereas in sessions. certificate. the trainer.
online course the content, 
just like university course 
includes different modules 
and assessments.
All educational institutions are taking the e-
FIVE REASONS 
learning route to compensate the time lost due to 
TO ATTEND forced closure of institutions amid coronavirus. 
WEBINAR/ONLI Learning is a process which has no boundaries 
NE COURSE IN like age or gender. In 2020, not only the students 
2010 are attending online classes but also 
professionals, teachers, housewives, artists and 
so on. Along with receiving knowledge, it also 
helps in boosting personal growth and self-
confidence.
REASON 2: REASON REASON REASON 
REASON 1: IMPROVE YOUR 3: BUDGET 
4: ONLINE 5: CAREER 
SKILL FRIENDLY CONTENT DEVELOPMELEARN AT 
NT
HOME Not everyone gets an Every time you Many online 
opportunity to build attend an online 
institutions have As you are saving 
When you are their skills along with class, the trainer 
their busy work reduced their course 
ample time in 
forced to stay at provides you 
schedule. 2020 is the fee during the commuting to and 
home, use your online content 
time to spent for lockdown. Most of back from office, 
leisure time to 
developing your which can be the reputed brands dedicate the time 
learn at home. You 
hobbies and special referred even after are conducting free for an online 
can gain skills, as staying home the class. If you 
webinars on different course that can 
knowledge in your has left a lot of time on missed a topic 
topics, in social develop your skill 
own comfort zone, hand. Attending short during the class, 
media networks, set and get you a 
easy and cosy. webinars on topics you you can revisit 
are passionate about which is an added 
promotion in your 
and revise the 
will help you in this advantage for the job.
topic at your 
process. viewers.
convenience.
STRUCTURE OF 
WEBINAR / ONLINE 
COURSE
Webinar
An informative content 
Introduction
with free-flowing structure Conclusion
A good webinar always Body
is the backbone of a To close the session, 
starts with the proper The main topic is 
webinar. The structure of the trainer 
definition for the webinar. delivered in the body. 
a webinar is very simple, summarizes the 
It introduces the topic and The trainer uses 
which includes a main topics 
gives an essence of the PowerPoint, Google 
captivating introduction, covered and to 
entire session. slides, videos, images 
good body content, a include the 
Additionally, the trainer and even live 
motivational conclusion audience, open 
makes a clear statement whiteboard for 
and a relevant call of the floor for 
about the length and the explaining the 
action. It includes outline question answer 
format of the session. concepts.
and the key points of session.
discussion.
Online course
Objective Content Assessment
Like the webinar, Content is the body part of an online Paid online courses have 
the objective part course. Unlike webinar the content part of assessment or exams at the 
defines the online an online class is more interactive and end of the course to achieve 
course, goals, the course materials are shared with the the certificate. The 
modules and students for future reference. The course assessment criteria vary from 
expected materials include PowerPoint course to course. It is usually 
takeaways. presentations, PDFs, videos, notes and done in the form of 
other interactive learning resources. assignment or an online test.
HOW TO 
CONDUCT A 
WEBINAR
/ ONLINE 
COURSE
AN OCI PRESENTATION 2020
Step 1: Pick a topic Step 2: Decide the format of webinar
The duration of a webinar is very short and so it is very Deciding the format is a crucial step before 
important to pick a topic which is narrow. If you try to put developing the content. Depending on the topic and 
too much information in a short time, you will lose the the skills of the presenter you need to decide which 
clarity of the information. Hence, select a narrow topic and format will work the best. Different formats of 
progress in a singular direction so that the audience can webinars are presentation webinar, interview 
absorb every information you pass to them. webinar, question answer webinar, and panel 
discussion webinar.
Step 3: Create a structure Step 4: Preparing presentation
Planning the structure is the key to a thought-provoking A good PowerPoint presentation includes crisp, clear 
webinar. A good introduction holds the attention of the and bullet pointed text, and plenty of visuals to 
audience. The body part should be crisp and clear content support the points. To prepare an engaging content, 
which gives the audience a strong idea on what you are use the power of technology to make it more 
trying to convey. Telling a story and illustrating with engaging with multimedia presentation, charts and 
examples will draw the attention of the audience and keep videos. Canva, Piktochart, SlideDog are some of the 
them listening. To conclude, use a motivational close and a tools used commonly for this purpose.
call of action.
ONLINE 
COURSE
AN OCI PRESENTATION 2020
Step 1: Decide the topic Step 4: Creating Course Content
Deciding the topic is the foundation of an online Content creating is an art with which the trainer decides what 
course. Before choosing it is important to know your to teach and what not to, from the pile of information in your 
goal and your audience’s. Decide a topic which you mind. Once the content is ready the next task is to bring a 
are passionate about and which students are willing to logical order for the content, and breaking them down into 
pay and attend. modules and subtopics. Place the topics and sub-topics in a 
progressive and logical manner.
Step 2: Research Step 5: Presentation
Once you decide your topic, it is important to do There are plenty of ways to deliver your content. Plan on how 
market research to see if the market demands the each module has to be delivered. Decide on different teaching 
topic or not. You may be an expert in your topic, still methodologies like video, audio, presentation, graphics to be 
read and research on all possible resource. Brainstorm used in each module. A balance of text, visual and audio 
and jot down the points. delivery methods will help to make the content proficient.
Step 6: Assessment and Feedback
Step 3: Prepare course outline and learning 
Assessment and feedback play an important role in an online 
outcome
course. Planning and executing assessment and tests can be 
Preparing course outline and learning outcome gives 
done with the help of different software. Feedback given to the 
the students a clarity on what to expect through the 
students will allow them to assess their progress and fix 
course, what skills they will master, and what 
potential areas of self-improvement.
knowledge they will gain. A clear outcome ensures the 
right students join your course.
CHALLENGE CHALLENGE 2: DIGITAL 
1: ADAPTABILITY STRUGGLE LITERACY
Switching from a traditional blackboard led To attend an online course, it is mandatory to have a 
classroom to a virtual classroom makes learning minimum knowledge of working on a computer or laptop. 
experience completely different for the students. It When the students lack basic computer knowledge, it 
takes time to get accustomed to the new wave and leads to issues in logging in, participation in class 
understand the benefits of e-learning. activities, submitting work and to interact with the 
trainer.
CHALLENGE 3: TECHNICAL CHALLENGE 
Many students, esIpSecSialUly tEhe from rural areas 
Unlike 4tra:d itIioNnaTl cElasRseAs, CdurTingI OonNline classes 
face problem with bandwidth. As many of these 
students are more conscious of their self and 
students don’t have a computer or laptop, they 
are reluctant to be an active participant.
end up attending sessions through mobile. 
Learning technical course through a mobile is a 
difficult task as mobile won’t support every 
software to the fullest.
CHALLENGES OF WEBINAR/ 
ONLINE COURSE
Webinars and l ive online courses are conducted 
through video conferencing software. There are 
many free, paid and ad subscribed video 
conferencing software used for webinar and online 
course. Zoom, Click Meeting, Skype, Livestream, 
Webinar Jam, etc are examples for such software. 
Some main features of these platforms include 
multiple presenters, video and audio sharing, screen 
share, l ive chat for attendees, recording option, 
calendar scheduling and invites, etc. There are 
some pre-recorded video hosting options l ike 
YouTube, Vimeo and Amazon S3
In 2020, since people are confi ned within the four 
walls of house, e-learning is the best way to expand 
one’s knowledge. Although e-learning existed in 
ONLINE PLATFORMS India before pandemic, classroom learning 
continued t be the primary source of education. 
However, after the outbreak of coronavirus every 
educational institution and fi rms are compelled to 
adapt the new mode of imparting and receiving 
knowledge. They are also trying to build a teacher 
and student fr iendly online education 
infrastructure..
CONTACT 
INFORMATION
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https://www.henryharvin.com/
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[email protected]
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+91 15266266