Transforming Optometric Pedagogy at the Emeryville Clinic with Logitech and Zoom
University of California, Berkeley, School of Optometry and Vision Science
Overview
The Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry & Vision Science at UC Berkeley aimed to accelerate its transition to hyflex learning and establish a sustainable hybrid education model, ensuring equitable access for all students. The opening of a new clinic in mid-2026 provided an opportunity to redefine medical facilities with state-of-the-art AV systems powered by cloud-based platforms like Zoom. By integrating cloud technology with Logitech video conferencing solutions, the school achieved a cost-effective and scalable alternative to traditional AV deployments, unlocking powerful features that enhanced the overall learning experience.
Key Information:
- School: UC Berkeley School of Optometry and Vision Science, Emeryville Clinic
- Founded: 1868
- Industry: Higher education
- Solutions: Logitech Rally Bar, Logitech Rally Streamline Kit, Logitech Tap IP, Logitech Scribe, Logitech Spotlight, Logitech Rally Mic Pods, Zoom® Rooms with HIPAA-compliant integrations
The Challenge
UC Berkeley's School of Optometry & Vision Science sought to modernize its optometric education by transitioning from costly legacy AV systems to trusted platforms like Zoom and Logitech. Traditional AV systems were expensive to deploy and maintain, lacking the flexibility to adapt to evolving educational needs. Cloud-based solutions offered a cost-effective, scalable, and adaptable alternative, enabling dynamic hybrid learning environments.
Key limitations in the existing infrastructure included:
- High deployment costs and maintenance: Traditional systems required significant investment, posing challenges during a period of constrained budgets.
- Lack of flexibility: Legacy setups could not adapt to diverse teaching scenarios, particularly in medical education where seamless transitions and adaptable demonstrations are critical.
- Collaboration barriers: Remote and hyflex learners struggled to engage effectively, hindering participation in patient simulations, live demonstrations, and interactive clinical training.
Faced with these challenges, UC Berkeley's School of Optometry & Vision Science launched an initiative to fundamentally transform its future teaching space, prioritizing low-cost, highly scalable solutions adaptable to present and future needs.
The Solution
Matthieu Kaminski, Program Director of the Office of Virtual Learning Initiatives at Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry & Vision Science, turned to Logitech and Zoom for tools that could meet the demands of modern optometric education and deliver immediate results.
Kaminski is implementing over 40 Zoom Rooms, creating flexible teaching and treatment spaces that support hybrid teaching, immersive learning, and telehealth integration. The solution includes:
- Logitech Rally Bar Mini: Known for its user-friendliness and ability to support dynamic collaboration, offering audio and video clarity for engaging environments for live medical simulations and telehealth workshops.
- Logitech Rally Camera Streamline Kit: Designed for exam rooms, collaboration spaces, and classrooms, integrating with Logitech Sync for device and space management, enabling remote diagnostics and troubleshooting.
- Logitech Tap IP: Simplifies navigation and provides intuitive controls for instructors.
- Zoom HIPAA-compliant capabilities: Allow for virtual health assessments, enabling students and educators to blend training sessions with real-world applications.
As Matthieu Kaminski stated, “Logitech and Zoom offered us turnkey solutions that allowed us to create engaging, scalable learning environments practically overnight. During a time of uncertainty, their reliability is invaluable.”
Results
The shift to cloud-based systems ensures scalability, improves user experience, and enables broader access to educational offerings, including telehealth. This transformation serves as an inspiration for other institutions to adopt similar cloud-based AV solutions, offering equitable and future-proof learning environments.
Transformative highlights include:
- Scalable infrastructure: With Zoom Rooms and Logitech systems, UC Berkeley Optometry expanded its capacity for hybrid education at minimal cost, ensuring long-term sustainability.
- Enhanced collaboration and inclusivity: Tech-driven solutions provided equal frames of reference for both in-room and remote learners, helping student communities connect more deeply to course materials.
- Cost savings and efficiency: Logitech's technology minimized routine maintenance, significantly easing operational costs compared to traditional systems.
- Broader access: Remote-learning capabilities allowed students from underserved regions to join top-tier medical education programs, emphasizing inclusivity.
The success of Berkeley's initiative has created a blueprint for institutions worldwide. Through scalable tools like Logitech and Zoom, the school's Emeryville clinic demonstrates how modern AV systems can replace outdated infrastructures to deliver flexible, cost-effective, and engaging learning environments.
As Matthieu Kaminski noted, “This journey underscores the importance of collaboration and adaptability. As we look ahead, we are excited to expand on this success and inspire others.”
