What Is a Teleclass/Webinar and How Does It Work?

Teleclass/Webinar Frequently Asked Questions

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How do I participate in a Teleclass?

Teleclasses are live, presentations and interactive workshops that are conducted over the telephone.  You do not need any special equipment to participate – just a standard telephone and the number to call.  We use a “bridge line,” which is a telephone line that allows many people to call in and participate at the same time.  You will also need your participation code/pin number. When you cal, you will be prompted by a recorded voice to dial the pin number at the appropriate time. Then you will be connected to the teleclass. Click here {ß Link to Teleclasses/Webinars} to view available classes.

Depending on the size of the group, you may be asked to introduce yourself by first name and city you are calling from. Some teleclasses are more interactive than others. Usually you will have an opportunity to participate by making some comments or asking questions. If you prefer to be a silent participant, that’s okay, too.

What is a Webcast?

In many cases we will also offer webcasting of our classes.  A web cast allows you to listen to the class over an internet connection rather than using your telephone line.  When you receive confirmation of your registration, you will be provided with the url/web address of the web cast.  Access the link as you would any other web site and enter your participant code/pin to be allowed into the classroom.  Click here {ß Link to Teleclasses/Webinars} to view available classes.

How do I participate in a Webinar?

A webinar is similar to a teleclass, except there is also an Internet component added.  While we are connected by telephone or webcast, you are also able to view something on your computer screen.  The instructor of the call usually controls what is on the screen, and everyone else in the webinar can see what is on the instructor’s screen.

Depending on the size of the group, you may be asked to introduce yourself by first name and city you are calling from. Some webinars are more interactive than others. Usually you will have an opportunity to participate by making some comments or asking questions. If you prefer to be a silent participant, that’s okay, too.

How can I find out more about the topics that will be covered in the classes?

Detailed information about the content of each event is available on the Teleclasses/Webinars page {ß Link}

Doesn’t a phone call with multiple people on it get chaotic?

Not at all. Think about it: even in a conventional classroom it is rare for everyone to talk at once. Once you try a teleclass or webinar or two you will find it a surprisingly natural way to interact

What are the benefits of teleconferencing/teleclasses?
It can save you a great deal of money in plane tickets, hotel rooms, meals, and other travel costs you’d incur to bring distant employees together. Surveys show that companies that rely on teleconferencing can cut their travel costs by around 30% per year.

In addition, travel to meetings is sometimes at the mercy of weather. With teleconferencing, your meeting will go on as scheduled-regardless of delays at the airport.

It also saves time. Studies show that employees tend to socialize much less during teleconference meetings than they would during face-to-face meetings, and teleconferences are typically significantly shorter for this reason. In addition, traveling employees use a good deal of time in sitting in airports, staying overnight, and traveling between locations. Face-to-face meetings can take days to implement, whereas teleconferences take hours.

How long is a class?

Classes vary in length, but most classes are one hour. Some classes allow extra time at the end for questions. Please check the description for the class to confirm the length of the call.

Will others be able to hear me during the class?

Yes, everyone on the call can hear each other. When classes are very large, the instructor will mute everyone by placing the class in “presentation” mode. You will also have the opportunity to mute your line by pressing a key on your phone. Instructions for how to use those features are generally included in the pre-class instructions you’ll receive. It is recommended that you use the bridge line mute function rather than your phone’s mute.

If I’m running late, can I still participate?

That depends on the class. Some bridge lines provide a feature whereby the instructor can “lock” the line so others cannot call in after a certain time. If you are late, please enter the call quietly so you don’t interrupt the flow. Also, be aware that you may have missed instructions. It’s not fair to others who were on time to ask the instructor to repeat what was already covered.

What number should I dial?

You will receive a confirmation e-mail after you register. The phone number is provided there. Depending on which class you take, there may also be instructions for how to prepare for the class. Be sure to read the instructions when they arrive so you are not caught unprepared just before the class begins.

All participants dial the same telephone number at the scheduled time and connect automatically with the rest of the group. You will be able to hear each other.

Why don’t you offer a toll free number? Do I have to pay a long distance charge to participate?

If the call is long distance (which it is for most people), you pay for the call because it is your way to arrive there – just as you would pay for the gas to drive to a seminar in your home town. Calahan Solutions, Inc. does not profit from your long distance phone call in any way. There are no hidden charges — only the charge from your own long distance provider. By the way, we have to pay for our connection, too!

If you don’t get good rates with your long distance carrier. There are many excellent calling cards and long distance plans available. Please be aware that some cellular phone plans bring an echo onto the bridge line. If this happens when you dial in on a cell phone, you may have to mute your phone for the call to keep the echo off the line, or call back in on a land line.

Can I put you on speaker phone so I don’t have to hold the phone for an hour?

Please only use your speaker phone if you can mute your phone. If you are not able to mute your phone, using the speaker phone feature generally allows for more background noises to be heard over the bridge line. This can be very distracting to the instructor and to other callers. If you have a headset, you can be hands-free and the background noises in your environment are much less likely to be heard by others.

I notice you mention class notes. Can I get those before the teleclass starts?

We usually prefer to provide extensive class notes after the class has concluded. We provide the notes after the class so participants are not flipping through paper and trying to read ahead instead of listen. Our post-class notes are comprehensive. If you learn best by taking notes, then you might want to jot some things down during the class, even though it will probably be included in the class notes.

If you decide to type your notes on a keyboard, please be mindful that some keyboards can be very noisy, and the noise will carry over the bridge line so everyone will be able to hear you type.

Please familiarize yourself with our class etiquette {ß Link} recommendations before calling in.

Recorded Training

Can’t make one of our live classes or interviews? Click here {ß Link} for a list of classes available as downloads or CDs.

It’s never too late to be what you might have been.

~George Eliot~

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