Teleconference is the live exchange and mass articulation of information among persons and machines remote from one another but linked by a telecommunications system, usually over the phone line. It differes from videophone in intending to serve groups rather than individuals.
The telecommunications system may support the teleconference by providing one or more of the following audio, video, and/or data services by one or more means, such as telephone, telegraph, teletype, radio, and television.Teleconferences are also referred to as teleseminars.
Alternative terms for teleconferencing include audio conferencing, telephone conferencing and phone conferencing.
Internet Tele-conference
Internet telephony involves conducting a teleconference over the Internet or a Wide Area Network. One key technology in this area is Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP). Popular software for personal use includes Skype, Google Talk, Windows Live Messenger and Yahoo Messenger. A List of commercial voice over IP network providers is available.
Teleseminars
Teleseminars are used to provide information, training, or promote or sell products to group of people interested in a particular topic. They are similar to traditional seminars, in content and purpose, but they are given over a teleconference or bridgeline rather than at a specific location.
It is an emerging way to communicate, provide teletraining, and conduct business without the cost of travel. The host of the teleseminar will schedule a specific time and date in advance to communicate with his/her audience. The audience can vary in size from a few callers to 1,000 participants depending on the capacity of the bridgeline used and the popularity of the topic being discussed.
These conference calls are typically recorded. There is typically a fixed period of time devoted to the presentation of information followed by another fixed period of time for questions and answers.
Teleseminars provide an opportunity for a host to provide information to a large number of people at one time. It allows a trainer to train many participants at once, one on many rather than one on one. It also eliminates the need for travel, expensive preparation and presentation material costs. These factors make teleseminars a very cost effective delivery method.
Teleseminars can be free or have a cost associated with participation for the students. The cost will vary depending on the content being discussed and the organization hosting the call. Despite the participation fee, the advantage for students is this medium does not require the hassle and expense of traveling to a live seminar. Participants can join the teleconference from home or anywhere that they have a telephone connection.
After paying the fee, participants will receive a phone number and pass code for the call. If there is no charge for the teleseminar, the phone number and pass code may be distributed via email or may be available on the company’s website.