SEMINARS, TRAININGS AND WORKSHOPS 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

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:

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.

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.

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.

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 07http://www.squidoo.com/typesofseminarshttp://www.allseminarsweb.com/basics/advantages.htmhttp://www.webpronews.com/topnews/2004/11/04/advantagesdisadvantages-of-seminarshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traininghttp://education.yahoo.com/reference/dictionary/entry/workshop