Definition, forms, advantages and disadvantages of seminars, trainings and workshops

1. SEMINARS ON TRENDS AND ISSUES ON INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY
prepared by:
FOR-IAN V. SANDOVAL
Instructor I
SEMINAR
Seminar can be defined as:
1. The word seminar is derived from the Latin word seminarium, meaning "seed
plot".
2. A form of academic instruction, either at an academic institution or offered by
a commercial or professional organization.
3. A group of people coming together for the discussion and learning of exact
methods and topics.
4. A small group of students, as in a university, engaged in advanced study and
original research under a member of the faculty and meeting regularly to
exchange information and hold discussions.
5. The gathering place of such a group.
6. A meeting of such a group.
7. A course or subject of study for advanced graduate students.
8. Any meeting for exchanging information and holding discussions.
Seminar has the function of bringing together small groups for recurring
meetings, focusing each time on some particular subject, in which everyone
present is requested to actively participate. This is often accomplished through
an ongoing Socratic dialogue with a seminar leader or instructor, or through a
more formal presentation of research. Normally, participants must not be
beginners in the field under discussion (at US universities, seminar classes are
generally reserved for upper-class students, although at UK and Australian
universities seminars are often used for all years). The idea behind the seminar
system is to familiarize students more extensively with the methodology of their
chosen subject and also to allow them to interact with examples of the practical
problems that always occur during research work. It is essentially a place where

2. assigned readings are discussed, questions can be raised and debates can be
conducted. It is relatively informal, at least compared to the lecture system of
academic instruction.
In some European universities, a seminar may be a large lecture course,
especially when conducted by a renowned thinker (regardless of the size of the
audience or the scope of student participation in discussion). Some non-English
speaking countries in Europe use the word seminar (e.g., German Seminar,
Slovenian seminar, Polish seminarium, etc.) to refer to a university class that
includes a term paper or project, as opposed to a lecture class (i.e., German
Vorlesung, Slovenian predavanje, Polish wykład, etc.). This does not correspond
to English use of the term.
Increasingly, the term "seminar" is used to describe a commercial event
(though sometimes free to attend) where delegates are given information and
instruction in a subject such as property investing, other types of investing,
Internet marketing, self-improvement or a wide range of topics, by experts in that
field.
Typically there are quite a few important speakers within every seminar,
and these speakers are regularly specialists in their own fields, or themes. Some
topic reviews are scheduled every day all through the seminar, and attendees
can typically make their option of topics from among these scheduled events.
TRAINING
Training can be defined as:
1. It refers to the acquisition of knowledge, skills, and competencies as a result
of the teaching of vocational or practical skills and knowledge that relate to
specific useful competencies.
It forms the core of apprenticeships and provides the backbone of content
at institutes of technology (also known as technical colleges or polytechnics). In
addition to the basic training required for a trade, occupation or profession,
observers of the labor-market recognize today the need to continue training
beyond initial qualifications: to maintain, upgrade and update skills throughout
working life. People within many professions and occupations may refer to this
sort of training as professional development.
Some commentators use a similar term for workplace learning to improve
performance: training and development. One can generally categorize such
training as on-the-job or off-the-job:

3. • On-the-job training takes place in a normal working situation, using the
actual tools, equipment, documents or materials that trainees will use
when fully trained. On-the-job training has a general reputation as most
effective for vocational work.
• Off-the-job training takes place away from normal work situations —
implying that the employee does not count as a directly productive worker
while such training takes place. Off-the-job training has the advantage that
it allows people to get away from work and concentrate more thoroughly
on the training itself. This type of training has proven more effective ] in
inculcating concepts and ideas.
Training differs from exercise in that people may dabble in exercise as an
occasional activity for fun. Training has specific goals of improving one's
capability, capacity, and performance.
WORKSHOP
Workshop can be defined as:
1. "a seminar, discussion group, or the like, that emphasizes exchange of ideas
and the demonstration and application of techniques, skills, etc.: a theater
workshop; opera workshop."
2. A room, area, or small establishment where manual or light industrial work is
done.
3. An educational seminar or series of meetings emphasizing interaction and
exchange of information among a usually small number of participants: a
creative writing workshop.
SOME TYPES OF PROGRAMS TO INFORM, EDUCATE AND
TRAIN PEOPLE
1. Seminar
It present information on a broad topic, such as "marketing," "sales,"
"theater," in contrast to a more narrow topic such as "e-mail marketing to
doctors," "sales closings," "Elizabethan theater." And all of these topics could
be furthered narrowed.

4. 2. Workshop
Hands-on seminar. For example, if you were presenting a workshop of
sales closings, you would have small groups work on their closings and present
their reactions to each type of closing.
3. Training
Training implies multiple day, hands-on learning. If you teach speaking,
obviously you would have people give talks in order to experience what they
have been taught.
4. Speech
This is a limited, one time, one topic occurrence. The speech could be 20
minutes, as it is for Rotary Clubs, 30 minutes as for an after-dinner talk, one hour
as for a key-note address. Delivering speeches is a great way to get your name
out there. You are giving your audience something they may not be aware of. As
long as you fulfill the "What's in it for me?" requirement of listeners, you will be
lauded and applauded.
5. Free Seminar
The purpose of a free seminar is to get people to sign up for a complete
seminar you are offering or just to get clients, such as coaching clients. This is an
opportunity to dangle bait, offer something a potential client could use or needs.
6. Adult Education
One way to practice the talks, trainings, workshops you want to present is
to sign up at your local adult high school or college to present your program. You
will be paid a small amount of money for your time, but the adult school does the
advertising to all of the households in your town and surrounding town, and you
get to practice or fine-tune your new material.
7. Special Self-Directed Seminars
These seminars are held on cruise ships, resorts, vacation hotels.
Corporations are always on the lookout for dynamic presenters and
presentations. Resort hotels and vacation spots want to keep their clients happy
and entertained. If you have a special topic that would appeal to a corporate-
sponsored audience, develop it and get your information out there.

5. ADVANTAGES OF SEMINARS, TRAININGS & WORKSHOPS
The topics of seminars, trainings and workshops can be various. But today
Internet marketing seminars, trainings and workshops increases due to the
interest in this field. What then are the advantages of seminars if you choose to
attend or if you are thinking of attending?
1. A wealth of knowledge typically, presented by a lot of speakers at one time
in one place. A lot of learning offered at one clip, with most material
compressed into two or three days' worth of time.
2. A sense of friendship or camaraderie, where individuals can meet others
with the similar interests, problems and concerns that they may have in their
selected field.
3. A sense of reformed hope and inspiration, as sometimes business
concerns are diminished by distribution knowledge with others. Being with
others that understand your problems or anxieties, is typically a great
confidence booster.
4. A great way for those who do not like reading, or attend classes, to
advance their understanding of their definite subject.
5. A nice vacation, in frequently, a good hotel. The majority of seminars take
place in quality hotels, as this is part of the motivation to attracting attendees.
DISADVANTAGES OF SEMINARS, TRAININGS & WORKSHOPS
However, seminars, trainings and workshops have disadvantages. Here
are some of the disadvantages:
1. Cost, of course, as all attendees must absorb their own costs. The
seminars, trainings and workshops themselves sometimes also have an entry
fee that can be quite high. All travel costs, food costs, hotel costs, and other
miscellaneous costs must be absorbed by the attendees.
2. The chance that the speakers may be sharing incorrect knowledge, or
not at all knowledgeable themselves (it pays to make your own
assessments of presented topics, not just blindly "follow the pack"). Tips,
tricks, and strategies need to be weighed as to "worth" and "accuracy" before
using these. Careful thought rules here.

6. 3. The time spent away from your actual business, or life, to attend. Time is
always a concern when scheduling activities and some individuals simply
can't spare the time away from their lives for activities such as this.
4. The chance that the topics may not actively help your business or your
concerns, and that the seminar will be a waste of time, where nothing you
learn is of any use to you.
5. The chance that attendees will expect too much from a seminars, trainings
or workshops and thus be disappointed. Realism must rule here. These are
not "instant answers" to anything.
Overall, seminars, trainings or workshops, if chosen carefully, can be a
good experience. They are not miracle cures to business problems or other
problems, however, and this must be kept in mind when deciding to attend a
seminars, trainings or workshops. These are, after all, optional events, and
success or failure in business or life will probably not hinge on attendance at
seminars, trainings or workshops!
Many different methods of learning business strategies and life strategies
exist for those that don't have the time flexibility or money flexibility to attend. Just
visit your local library or local community college, and you'll find a wealth of
knowledge on all subjects. Read a book concerning your issues, or take a class,
and you'll find these can be great alternatives to seminars, trainings or
workshops.
After all, education exists in many forms, not just at seminars, trainings or
workshops!
On-line References
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seminar#Origins_of_the_word
http://www.answers.com/topic/seminar. July 07
http://www.squidoo.com/typesofseminars
http://www.allseminarsweb.com/basics/advantages.htm
http://www.webpronews.com/topnews/2004/11/04/advantagesdisadvantages-of-
seminars
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Training
http://education.yahoo.com/reference/dictionary/entry/workshop