Webinaari

A webinaari, or webinar in Finnish, is a live or on-demand online seminar delivered over the Internet. It combines audio or video presentations with real-time interaction, such as chat or Q&A, allowing participants to join remotely from various locations.

The term blends “web” and “seminar” and has become common in Finnish professional and educational settings since the early 2000s, particularly as broadband and conferencing platforms matured.

Typical formats include live presentations with slides, screen sharing, and a facilitator; participants may register, watch, ask questions, vote in polls, and download materials. Many webinaarit are recorded for on-demand viewing.

Common uses include corporate training, product demonstrations, professional development, and marketing or informational events for customers or members.

Advantages include broad reach, lower cost, flexible scheduling, and the ability to measure attendance and engagement. Challenges include technical requirements, variable internet access, time-zone considerations, and concerns about privacy and data protection.

With the growth of video conferencing and streaming platforms, webinaarit became widespread in the 2010s and surged during the COVID-19 pandemic, evolving into hybrid and on-demand formats.

Related terms: webinars, virtual events, online conferences.