Webinar Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are answers to frequently asked questions about the Webinars that we currently offer via GoToWebinar. Much of this information is sent to registrants upon registration for one of our Webinars, but we are including it here for those who would like this information prior to registration.

What is a Webinar?

Short for Web-based seminar, a webinar is a presentation, lecture, workshop or seminar that is transmitted over the Web. A key feature of a Webinar is its interactive elements -- the ability to give, receive and discuss information. Contrast with Webcast, in which the data transmission is one way and does not allow interaction between the presenter and the audience. Source: Webopedia.

What is GoToWebinar?

GoToWebinar is a type of web conferencing software. It allows for real-time, online conferencing.

What do I need in order to participate?

Basically, all you need is a high speed internet connection, the ability to download a small Java application to your computer's hard drive, and either a computer with a headset or speakers OR the ability to make a long distance telephone call to hear the audio portion of the Webinar.

Don't worry about having the ability to speak during our Webinars -- for the majority of our Webinars, the only people who will speak are the presenters and producers. Participants will submit all questions and comments by typing them into the chat window.

IMPORTANT: please note that the telephone option is a long distance call, so you or your organization will be responsible for any long distance charges incurred by choosing this option.

What are the system requirements for GoToWebinar?

System requirements are available here:
http://support.citrixonline.com/en_US/webinar/help_files/G2W010003?title=System+Requirements

Is there a way for me to test my connection prior to the live event?

You can test your connection before your session starts by joining a test session to check that your computer has everything required. If you're unable to join the session, you may not have all the necessary software. See Join Help for more troubleshooting tips.

Is there other information that I can provide my IT staff about GoToWebinar in order to help prepare for the event?

If you are concerned about your organization's firewall interfering with GoToWebinar, please refer your IT staff to this information on IP ranges. For spam filters, make sure that you can receive emails from gotowebinar@citrixonline.com .

How can I prepare for the Webinar if I have never used GoToWebinar before?

A GoToWebinar Attendee Quick Reference Guide is available in PDF format on the GoToWebinar support site. This 2-page guide provides an overview of the basic information you should need in order to use GoToWebinar.

How do I join the Webinar on the day of the event?

As soon as you complete the registration process for your Webinar, you will receive a confirmation email with the URL that you will need to visit on the day/time of your event in order to log in to the Webinar. If you happen to lose the email, don't panic. A reminder email is  sent 2 days prior and then again 2 hours prior to every Webinar and it contains the same information as your original confirmation email. If you think you are not receiving the confirmation emails as you should, please contact the person listed as the program organizer for your particular event or email ld@tsl.texas.gov. When you email, please include the name and date of the Webinar in question. 

Is technical support available for GoToWebinar?

Yes, free technical support is available. After confirming that your computer meets the GoToWebinar System Requirements and after consulting Join Help, we encourage you (or your IT staff) to call GoToWebinar's technical support toll free at 1-888-259-8414. If asked, please indicate that you are participating in a Webinar offered by the Texas State Library & Archives Commission.

How do I receive CE credit for attending one of your Webinars?

First, please check the main information/registration page for the Webinar in question and make sure that it qualifies for CE credit. If it does, then a follow-up email will be sent within 2-3 business days after the workshop to those individuals who logged in and attended the live Webinar. Attendees are advised to save and/or print the follow-up email as it will serve as proof of attendance for CE purposes.

Can my library staff view this in a group setting for CE credit?

Due to popular demand, we have revised our policy on group Webinar viewings and CE credit. Groups of two (2) or more are welcome to view any of our live Webinars together and receive CE credit.For groups over 2 people, we recommend connecting a laptop to a digital projector and utilizing external computer speakers for adequate sound.

The following steps should be followed for group Webinar viewings:

1. One person from the group should serve as the "site coordinator" -- this person will register themselves for the Webinar and will coordinate the viewing at their institution or library.
2. On the day of the Webinar, the site coordinator will either provide a paper sign-in sheet for attendees to sign and then transfer that information to our online Group Webinar Sign-in Sheet after the Webinar (please submit within 24 hours), OR they will complete the online Group Webinar Sign-in Sheet along with the attendees and submit it immediately after the live Webinar.
3. Finally, the site coordinator will watch for the official follow-up email for the Webinar event (the email that contains the statement of CE credit, if eligible) and will then forward that email to the other attendees in their group. This is very important as it is the only way that attendees will receive CE credit for their participation in the Webinar.

What if I know that I will be unable to attend the live event? May I view a recording of the Webinar at a later time?

If you know that you might be unable to attend the live event but would like to view the archived Webinar, please go ahead and register as you normally would. All registrants who do not attend the live event will automatically be sent a follow-up email with the link to view the recorded Webinar (as long as one is available). Anyone wishing to view the recorded Webinar will need Windows Media Player 9 or higher. Whenever possible (and when the presenter provides permission to do so), we also link to the recording from our Archived Webinars page within a day or two of the live event.

May I earn CE credit for viewing recorded (archived) Webinars?

Yes -- but only if the Webinar has been converted into an online shortcourse. For every live Webinar that was originally worthy of CE credit and that contains content with a fairly lengthy shelf life, we typically convert it into a short online course that is housed on our Online Training site. The online shortcourse contains the Webinar recording and related instructional materials. Participants who enroll in the course and then complete the shortcourse tasks are able to print their own CE certificate at the end of the course. It typically takes us about 1 week to convert a Webinar into a shortcourse. To find archived Webinars that are in shortcourse format, look for "enroll in the shortcourse" links on our Archived Webinars page and/or view the shortcourse titles listed under the "Archived Webinar" subcategory in the course catalog on our Online Training site. (New to our Online Training site? Learn how to get started by reading the bottom half of our Online Courses page.)

Whom do I contact if I still have questions?

For general questions related to a particular Webinar, please contact the person listed as the program organizer on the Webinar's informational page -- informational pages may be accessed by clicking the Webinar title from our Upcoming Webinars page. For technical questions related to GoToWebinar, archived Webinars, or our Online Training site, please contact Naomi DiTullio at 512-936-2586 or naomi.ditullio@tsl.texas.gov. Additionally, you are welcome to browse the GoToWebinar Support Website (remember to focus on GoToWebinar help files only, as opposed to GoToMeeting) or contact GoToWebinar Customer Support at 1-800-263-6317.