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Once you have booked a place at your virtual lecture, you are provided with a
link to a simple step-by-step wizard which sets your computer up to attend the
lecture. Notes and slides are emailed as attachments for printing out in advance
of the lecture. On the day, all you have to do is click on a link to the lecture and
sit back and enjoy it in the comfort of your own surroundings. No unnecessary
travelling or hanging around, no dress code, no need to tidy up the office or
even be in the office.
Afterwards, a recording is available to re-visit the lecture. Anyone who cannot
attend on the night can purchase the online recording with notes, the CD pack
or notes only.
CPD4Lawyers uses a software package designed by Horizon Wimba. Training
is delivered online at your own convenience (in my case by a lovely lady in the
US) which gives you a good sense of what the online attenders to your own
session will be experiencing. In addition Anne Smithies of CPD4Lawyers can
offer more tailored training and practice sessions as necessary. I prepared my
notes as a Power Point presentation. I had never used Power Point before but
managed to put my handout and slides together in a couple of hours. The
classroom included a photograph of me but it is possible to use a web cam and
have live video. That’s for the future!
Most of the time delegates are looking at the slides themselves. The software
includes tools for highlighting and pointing to text just like an online blackboard.
You can also add in interaction with the audience by asking questions of them
and taking an online straw poll. The only additional technical equipment I
needed was a microphone and a packet of post-its to remind myself to allow
time for questions and check understanding! You must also make arrangements
to ensure that the room you are working in is quiet and you will not be
interrupted. I actually did mine in the comfort of my kitchen at home.
There was something slightly unnerving about speaking to a group of people
with whom you cannot make eye contact but you soon get used to it and can
compensate by pausing to ask questions. It reminded me of the occasional
telephone hearing or hearing by video I have done. There is a slight time lag
between your speaking and the words being heard by the delegates but only the
presenter is aware of that and it soon stops being noticeable. I was also told that
my heavy breathing at the beginning when waiting for the delegates to sign on
was rather pronounced! It is also a good exercise in sticking to time estimates.
Jacqui Gilliatt is a family law barrister with more than 14 years’ experience from
4 Brick Court, www.4bc.co.uk.
Email jacquigilliatt@blueyonder.co.uk.
Back to Contents.
CPD Anywhere: live online seminars
Having recently presented my first live online seminar for Cpd4Lawyers (see
www.cpd4lawyers.com), I am fired up with enthusiasm for the format.
by Jacqui GilliattAttending an online lecture
It’s easy to attend an online lecture whether from home or the office. Many firms
watch together, using a projector and screen. To attend, all you need is a
computer with a sound card, an Internet connection and a headset or speakers.
A microphone is not essential. Without one, you can still enjoy the presentation
and can ask questions using the text message facility but having one enables
you to discuss issues with your fellow delegates and ask questions.
Microphones and headsets are available at many stores including PC World,
Staples and Currys, from as little as £6.Presenting an online seminar
The online approach was particularly attractive as a method of delivering training
to me as a barrister as it meant I had only to make sure that I could be back in
front of a computer in time for a 6pm start rather than having to book myself out
of court for the whole day. In addition you can earn double points for giving the
presentation which counts as an accredited activity. There are also the usual
benefits of any public presentation in terms of publicity for yourself as an expert
in your field and payment for your services. About CPD4Lawyers
Established in 2003 by Richard Smithies of Bearders Solicitors, CPD4Lawyers
was the first law training company to hold live online lectures. Their lecturers
have included leaders in their field such as Gill Steel (LawSkills Ltd), Matthew
Hutton, Tessa Shepperson (Landlord Law) and Dai Davies (Nabarro Nathanson)
with topics ranging from Probate and Tax to Product Liability, Landlord Law,
Family Law with more to come.