Two classrooms at Richland Elementary School were among the first in the Pine-Richland School District to participate in a special webinar with children’s author Margie Palatini on Wednesday, Dec. 14.

So what exactly is a webinar? It’s a short term for web-based seminar, a presentation, lecture, workshop or seminar that is transmitted over the web. A webinar is different than a web cast, because a webinar allows interaction between the presenter and the audience.

This program began with about 70 classrooms logging on around the state, including Richland Elementary Second Grade Teacher Misty Smith and Fourth Grade Teacher Christina Beam. Their classes each joined in on the webinar through an internet-connected computer, an LCD projection device, a speaker and a microphone from their classrooms.

The Pennsylvania Bureau of Library Development sponsored the event in hopes to provide future programs of this nature. Organizers said they were overwhelmed with the number of participants, which caused an overload on the network.

Students were invited to ask questions. The author read two stories to the students and showed them photos.

Margie, who has written numerous books for early readers, talked about her popular book “Piggie Pie”.

One purpose of the pilot program was to work out any technical issues that might arise.

Principal Robert Cooper hopes to expand on the use of this technology.

"We are looking forward to bringing this new technology into the classroom,” Cooper said.  “The district continues to investigate the concept of virtual field trips as a way to expand our educational offerings."

Palatini has agreed to participate in a second webinar at 10 a.m. on January 9, 2006.  As an added bonus, she will read her new book "Oink", which will be out in March 2006.