Effectiveness of Webinars and Online Workshops during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

COVID-19 pandemic force to shut down all the educational institutes across the country. But we cannot stop our learning and sharing our knowledge. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to study the effectiveness of webinars and online workshops during the COVID-19 pandemic. Online survey method was used to collect the data from 210 respondents across India and from different institutes. Purposive sampling technique was used. Researchers have used self-made questionnaire with both open ended and close ended questions. Researchers have divided the analysis section into sub-sections like: readiness and purpose of participants, organizational aspects, efficiency of resource persons, instructional design and delivery, learning out comes/feedback and the respondents’ reflection on online programs. The study revealed that pre-requisite knowledge of ICT tools and applications (86%) and pre-requisite knowledge of themes are very important to understand online programmes. Majority of the respondents said that they have attended the online programme as per their specialization (76%). But long duration programme creates boredom (68%). It is found that geographical location and internet connectivity are the major problems. The study revealed that organizers are working well in the ground of the online registration, selection of the theme, providing e-certificate on time and circulation of the power-point presentation and learning materials of the resource person to the participants and many more. But a loop hole is the poor technical difficulties from organizers side (64%). The study has reported that 71% of the respondents said, resource persons must have both content and technological skills. 42% respondents have accepted that resource persons have content knowledge but they do not have technological skills at per. The positive side is that resource persons give lectures with the help of power point presentations (74%). The remarkable part of the study is that 81% of the respondents have agreed with the transform of the education system in the post pandemic era through this online programme. Some other positive sides of online programmes are; budget friendly (56%), collaborative and discussion-based learning (67%), participants can use the learnt knowledge in the professional field (81%), preparing and submitting the tasks are easy (59%), practical and skill-based subjects can learn effectively (53%). The paper also discussed about the title of the online programme attended by the respondents, important points learned, new skills developed from the programmes during the lock down period, important themes want to learn in future and some of the suggestions for future online programmes. The study ends with giving some suggestions to the participants, organizers, curriculum planners, government and the educational institutes for improvement and smooth running of the online programmes.