Utilizing Open Access Webinars to Promote Continuing Professional Development during COVID-19 Crisis in the Philippines

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the virtual synchronous continuing professional development (CPD) through webinars organized by a rural university in a developing country. Using quantitative and qualitative methods, the results highlighted the resourcefulness of the organizers to resolve technological and financial limitations prevalent across the preparation and implementation stages. The desire to participate in the narrative of CPD during the COVID-19 pandemic resorted to researching, testing, and utilizing free online platforms to deliver knowledge and skills to a wider audience. Screen sharing and audio-video streaming through social media were enough to facilitate the webinars. The result of the evaluation revealed that the webinars were appreciated by the participants and contributed to the increase in their knowledge of the topics presented. The CPD project also confirms the disparity in resources confronting institutions in developing countries like low internet bandwidth, outmoded internet cable wires, and unreliable supply of electricity. Management systems may be revisited to keep up with the pace in instruction and extension services in the light of changing requirements of the new normal.