Even if the contents could theoretically be the same, online seminars differ from conventional face-to-face seminars. They offer some advantages compared to classical lectures, but they also come with some disadvantages: the webinar format scores particularly well when it comes to not being dependent on a certain location. This saves time and money for both the speaker and the participants, since they don’t need to travel to the seminar location. Depending on the context of the webinar, anonymous participation is possible in many cases since you only have to enter a valid e-mail address.
On the other hand, you’re much more dependent on technology, which isn’t always so reliable. If the participant’s device is broken or the internet connection isn’t working properly, they can’t take part. If the technical problems are on the organizer’s side, the webinar might have to be canceled or at least postponed.
The following table summarizes the advantages and disadvantages of webinars: