👩‍🏫👨‍🏫 The Best Free Webinar Software for Teachers Available in 2021
Welcome, fellow educators! As the world shifts to online education, conducting webinars has become a crucial part of teaching. Webinars have proved to be an efficient and interactive method of delivering lectures, tutorials, and workshops to students. However, webinar software can be costly for educators with limited budgets, and that’s where free webinar software for teachers becomes a game-changer.
In this article, we’ll discuss the best free webinar software for teachers available in 2021. We’ll dive into the features, pros, and cons of each software to help you choose the right one for your webinars. Whether you’re a K-12 teacher or a university professor, this article will help you find the perfect software without hurting your wallet.
🔎 Introducing the Best Free Webinar Software for Teachers
1. Zoom
Features |
Pros |
Cons |
---|---|---|
Unlimited meetings for up to 100 participants with 40-minute duration limit |
Easy to use, works on multiple devices and operating systems, high video and audio quality |
40-minute limit on meetings with free account, security concerns, limited control over meetings |
Zoom is arguably the most popular video conferencing software globally, and it’s also a great option for teachers who want to hold a free webinar. With Zoom’s free account, you can host unlimited meetings for up to 100 participants with a 40-minute duration limit. Zoom’s interface is user-friendly and works on multiple devices and operating systems.
However, the free version of Zoom has a 40-minute limit on meetings and lacks some of the advanced features available in the paid plans. Additionally, Zoom had some security concerns in the past, which is a cause of worry for educators who handle sensitive information.
2. Skype
Features |
Pros |
Cons |
---|---|---|
Unlimited meetings for up to 50 participants with no time limit |
Easy to use, free screen sharing, text chat, file sharing, and no time limit on meetings |
Not ideal for large groups, limited control over meetings, video and audio quality can be inconsistent |
Skype is another well-known video conferencing software that is free to use for webinars. Skype allows unlimited meetings for up to 50 participants with no time limit, making it an excellent option for small groups of students. Skype also allows free screen sharing, text chat, and file sharing.
However, Skype’s video and audio quality can be inconsistent, and it’s not the best option for large groups. Additionally, Skype has limited control over meetings, which can be an issue for educators who want to monitor their webinars closely.
3. Cisco Webex
Features |
Pros |
Cons |
---|---|---|
Unlimited meetings for up to 100 participants with a 50-minute duration limit |
User-friendly interface, high video and audio quality, advanced features like recording and screen sharing |
50-minute duration limit on free account, limited control over meetings, compatibility issues with some devices |
Cisco Webex is a popular video conferencing software suitable for webinars, and it offers a free account with excellent features. With Cisco Webex’s free account, you can host unlimited meetings for up to 100 participants with a 50-minute duration limit. Cisco Webex also provides a user-friendly interface, high video and audio quality, and advanced features like recording and screen sharing.
The major downside of Cisco Webex’s free account is the 50-minute duration limit, which can be a problem for long webinars. Additionally, Cisco Webex has limited control over meetings, making it difficult for educators to monitor their webinars closely. Some users have also reported compatibility issues with some devices.
🤔 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can free webinar software for teachers handle large groups of students?
It depends on the webinar software you choose. Some free webinar software, like Zoom, can handle up to 100 participants, while others, like Skype, are better suited for small groups of up to 50 participants.
2. How long can webinars be with free webinar software?
The duration of webinars varies depending on the webinar software. For example, Zoom’s free account has a 40-minute limit on meetings, while Cisco Webex’s free account has a 50-minute duration limit.
3. Are free webinar software for teachers secure?
Not all free webinar software for teachers are secure. Some software, like Zoom, faced security concerns in the past, which is a cause of worry for educators who handle sensitive information. However, there are secure options available, like Cisco Webex, which has encryption and other security features.
4. Can I record webinars with free webinar software?
Some free webinar software allows you to record webinars, while others don’t. For example, Cisco Webex’s free account offers recording and playback features, while Zoom’s free account does not.
Most free webinar software for teachers allows you to share your screen during webinars. For example, Skype and Cisco Webex both offer screen sharing features.
6. Can I conduct polls during webinars with free webinar software?
Some free webinar software offers polling features, while others don’t. For example, Zoom’s paid plans offer polling features, but the free account does not. Cisco Webex offers polling and other interactive features with its free account.
7. Can I control my students’ audio and video during webinars with free webinar software?
Some free webinar software offers control over students’ audio and video, while others don’t. For example, Zoom’s free account has limited control over meetings, while Cisco Webex provides more control over participants’ audio and video.
8. What are the system requirements for using free webinar software?
The system requirements vary depending on the webinar software. Most webinar software works on multiple devices and operating systems, but it’s always best to check the system requirements before choosing a software.
9. Can I use free webinar software for one-on-one sessions with students?
Yes, you can use free webinar software for one-on-one sessions with students. For example, Skype is an excellent option for one-on-one tutoring and counseling sessions with students.
No, free webinar software is free to use with no hidden fees. However, some software may offer additional paid features that you can choose to upgrade.
11. Can I use free webinar software for non-educational purposes?
Yes, you can use free webinar software for non-educational purposes like meetings, interviews, and video conferences.
12. Can I use free webinar software with my mobile device?
Most free webinar software offers mobile apps for Android and iOS devices, allowing you to conduct webinars on your mobile device.
13. Is free webinar software for teachers as good as paid software?
Free webinar software for teachers offers excellent features and functionality, but paid software tends to have more advanced features and better customer support. However, if you’re on a tight budget, free webinar software is an excellent option for webinars.
✍️ Conclusion
In conclusion, free webinar software for teachers is an excellent option for educators who want to conduct webinars without spending a fortune. In this article, we discussed the best free webinar software for teachers available in 2021, including Zoom, Skype, and Cisco Webex. Each software offers unique features and pros and cons, allowing you to choose the right one for your webinars.
Now that you know the best free webinar software for teachers, it’s time to take action and start conducting interactive and engaging webinars for your students. Try out different software and see which one suits your needs and teaching style best. Don’t let a tight budget come in the way of delivering quality education to your students.
❗️ Disclaimer
The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only. The author and publisher of this article do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of any information contained herein for any particular purpose. The reader is solely responsible for any use or interpretation of this information.