Overview
Workshops are the ideal platform for information sharing and gaining. They are often less formal and include more of discussion. There is no chair in a workshop; rather, it is a facilitator who plays the role of organizing and ensuring a smooth flow. Workshops can be on almost anything and they can range from a couple of hours in a day to even an entire weekend.
Workshops are often a platform for students to publish their research works, obtain feedback, and also learn and try to solve the problems of other fellow students.
Benefits
Workshops are essential when it comes to educating, group learning, and training. In certain cases, you may have to plan as a group and some team ownership is necessary. Workshops prove to be very useful and do the job almost as perfectly. When compared to classroom training and other seminars, workshops get the maximum participation of all those who attend it. If at the workplace, you can also arrive at constructive alternatives for doing a particular work.
Costs
The costs of attending a workshop will vary depending on the type of workshop, number of participants, the topic chosen, the organization, school or university conducting the workshop, the study materials given, the duration, and the facilitator. Other supplies will usually be provided by the leader of the workshop and more often than not the costs will be included in your fee. There are even workshops which are conducted free of cost, but the normal fee may range from as low as $35 to as high as $100 per participant or $500 per hour.
Schools
Dr. Wendy Carter has conducted scores of professional development workshops for graduate students in many educational institutions in the States. The Boston College, Howard University, University of Maryland and Arizona State University are a few of the colleges and universities which conduct workshops on varied topics throughout the year.
Testing & Preparation
Admission tests are not one of the stipulated criteria to participate in any workshop. However, if the workshop is job-related, there may be prerequisites or other requirements. If you are attending a workshop for college credit, then the usual testing requirements for the college will need to be met.
Financial Aid
Traditional financial aid is not available for workshops. However, if you are taking a workshop for a job-related purpose the charge may be reimbursed by your company. Check with the human resources department of your company to see if the workshop you want to attend would qualify for reimbursement or upfront payment.
The California Student Aid Commission, CAL Grants, along with regional partners spread across California, help first-generation and low-income school going students. They can also financially help you out if you are planning to attend any workshops that interest you. A few workshops by themselves offer financial aid or scholarship for those who choose to attend it.
