A debate is live.
T herefore it requires that more than one person is connected at the same time.
Seminars can happen over a period of time. You would use a debate to discuss a particular topic with fellow students and tutors in a less formal way . To participate in the live discussion it is not expected that you can verify an opinion, instead it is hoped that you will respond to the live conversation with ideas and thoughts as they occur to you. The Seminars found in Whitehall On-line are web conferences. Web conferences are discussion areas.