Medium
ONLINE Seminars with Top Researchers
Online seminars with key researchers in their field.
The covid-19 problem lead to the cancellation of most seminars with
physical presence. However we continued with online seminars using for
instance zoom.
We invited several presenters for scientific seminars who are among the
most cited and most acknowledged researchers in their field or chief
editors of relevant journals. This allowed us as teachers and students
to listen and speak to very interesting colleagues sometimes from far
away in an interactive manner.
Resources produced as a result of a project: Escapade
Group size : Classroom (20-30 persons)
Modality : Distancial
Duration of the teaching method : Over several sessions
Special equipment : Notebook or PC with internet connection
Type of knowledge developed : Knowledge
Target Audience : Students, Professionals in training, Rather for groups with a homogeneous level
Course Type : Course
Preparation time :2 working hours
Author and persons who made changes : Hermann Buerstmayr
Why am I using this technique?
For my learners...
Students could listen to and interact with key researchers in their field.
Students witnessed a variety of presentation formats and personalities of presenters.
Students could ask direct questions and advice to some of the best-know researchers in their field of science.
For me, teacher or trainer...
We saved a lot of travel costs and travel time for the presenters.
We could win presenters who would most likely not be able to travel for minimum 2-3 days to our university in order to give a student presentation of 45 minutes and following discussion.
The CO2 footprint was minimal.
Interaction and discussion was quite good and fruitful, even if it was only via online tools.
Overall I think we took advantage of the travel restrictions due to covid-19 in this respect.
Framework and steps / Instructions
The framework
Ideally for already advanced students in their field, such as advanced master students or PhD students.
The preparation
Each participant needs a computer and stable internet connection.
The organizer needs a valid license for an online conference software.
The process
Check your contacts for possible presenters and negotiate a topic with them.
Contact them and set possible dates and times.
Prepare the meeting space.
Invite presenter and participants and provide the online or webinar link
Start and moderate the seminar and discussion
End the online seminar after the last question
Evaluation
Request feedback from the participants.
Ask participants for topics and presenters they want to invite for an online seminar.
Points of vigilance
Plan well in advance.
Make sure the PC and internet is running smoothly.
What if it doesn't work?
In case of internet or hardware breakdown, postpone to another date and time.
Testimonials
This was a great experience and we will continue using this format.
It is a very cool setup particularly for PhD students and researchers.
Hermann Buerstmayr