At the IHBC’s 2020 Virtual School: ‘OLD TOWNS | NEW FUTURES’, delegates will get session recordings, but to avoid missing out also should check out connections, technology, and our Gotowebinar event platform well in advance, as with a little digital ‘prep and check’ there’s plenty more Continuing Professional Development (CPD) on offer.
IHBC Director Seán O’Reilly said: ‘Remember that the IHBC’s office will be running at full speed during the School itself, so best avoid IT hiccups on the day by preparing properly for the event. That way you’ll be able to focus on the content, and not get distracted by unfamiliar technical issues, while also maximising the CPD on offer.’
‘However familiar you are with web events, or even the Gotowebinar platform that we use, a little planning beforehand makes all the difference, just like any conservation work!’
‘Even if our selected platform suits only some of your needs, understanding how it works can be a big boost to skills – especially these days. Already we have run a successful test with the 2020/21 School Committee in our host South East Branch, introducing volunteers to the experience of a webinar panellist. Delegates too can get even more from the Virtual School by looking beyond the speakers and content guidance already familiar from our annual Schools, by looking at the technology as well.’
‘As part of the IHBC’s ‘School experience’, delegates will have feedback on as much as we reasonably can offer of the content, analytics and outreach, including session recordings. This way you can get a real insight to such webinar operates, all as part of the IHBC’s CPD support.’
‘But if you want to do even more hefty CPD, you can familiarise yourself with the full webinar service through a free trial. That’s how we started out, so why not you?’
Our low School delegate fee (from £15+VAT) means we have no capacity to address technical issues for delegates on the day. However even if you do have a problem, the event will be recorded, and we will offer substantial feedback ourselves, so the majority of the event will be accessible to you even if you do have technical problems on the day!
DELEGATE SUPPORT: HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OF OUR VIRTUAL SCHOOL
Service, connection and Wifi/Broadband check-up
If you have not used Gotowebinar before, you should test the computer/tablet/mobile technology and service you’ll be using on the day well in advance. At the very least you should:
-
Download the Gotowebinar app as soon as you can, using the technology you will operate on the say
- As different platforms, technical infrastructure and standards will mean specific features can vary dramatically, while not all will be or look the same, so checking out the advice and systems are all the more important!
- Check out any service you will use: You can use Speedtest or a comparable national service to check out your broadband connection from your computer, where you are using it and at the time of day corresponding to when you use it
-
Remember that computer, tablet or mobile interfaces offer diverse user experiences. In general, the more mobile the technology, the more limited the delegate interaction. So test out different options in advance to be sure you choose the one that best suits your situation and needs at the time of the event.
CPD SUPPORT: WHAT IS ON OFFER TO EXTEND YOUR SKILLS
Delegate interaction, feedback and resources
Remember, interview and engagement time is very limited in a webinar. As in any event, not all questions or issues raised there will be addressed.
The IHBC values all input to our School events, as it shapes our local, national and international advocacy. So as well as offering as much feedback as we reasonably can in a session, in the weeks following the School delegates also will receive, as time and capacity allow:
- Ongoing updates on plans for the IHBC’s thematically-linked 2021 School in Brighton: #IHBCBrighton2021. Inevitably ‘Brighton 2021’ will delve further into issues and questions raised at our Virtual School, including matters better explored in 2021, with more data and ‘in person’. Details are under development, but we anticipate additional linked events – virtual and in-person – complementing the programme and contributing to our own policy and advocacy.
- Links to individual recorded sessions (as booked)
- Select records of contributions by School participants, including polls , and social media observers
- As available, responses to and thoughts on specific questions and issues raised by all contributors, including by other panellists and/or employers; the IHBC’s volunteers and staff, as well as other delegates
- Feedback from the Virtual School’s social media activity
- Select event analytics
- Feedback by delegates.
Platform Guidance: Gotowebinar
The IHBC’s 2020 Virtual School platform is Gotowebinar. The service has a useful list of FAQs for problem solving, so in advance of any School sessions you can usefully at least:
- See how to Join a webinar and what to expect
- Check out the video for delegates
- See the FAQs, and check out linked support and training (some accessed via the free trial)
- Understand the experience, and be sure to use the links for more detail
To enhance your CPD at the School, you can find out more online about how our Virtual School webinar platform works:
- See the GoToWebinar Resource Center, which includes papers, case studies, videos and webinars
- Explore the panellist’s role, and see what panellists will see
- See how it works for an organiser
See more on the IHBC’s 2020 School, ‘Old Towns | New Futures’… Reflections and Speculations from a Global Pandemic, June 19 2020, at #IHBCVirtualSchool2020 and virtualschool2020.ihbc.org.uk
For more on the Virtual School’s background, speakers and CPD support see the website
