Logitech and Zoom Transform Medical Education at UC Berkeley

Five Years of Advancement at the University of California, Berkeley, School of Optometry and Vision Science

Transformation of Medical Education at the Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry & Vision Science

Overview

The online live continuing education program at the University of California Berkeley (UC Berkeley) School of Optometry & Vision Science celebrates its fifth anniversary this year, marking the transition from a crisis-driven solution to a sustainable and thriving initiative. Developed under the guidance of the Office of Virtual Learning Initiatives at the Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry & Vision Science, the program has established a solid foundation for hybrid medical and optometric education. The initiative leverages leading learning management systems (LMS) and advanced audiovisual (AV) tools to enhance access, teaching quality, and adaptability for optometry professionals worldwide.

School: UC Berkeley School of Optometry & Vision Science

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

Challenge

The disruption to daily life at the onset of COVID-19 presented profound and urgent challenges for educational institutions globally. As the pandemic forced a shift from in-person to virtual environments, the continuing education program and its leadership faced the monumental task of pivoting their resources with little to no lead time. Traditional educational methods were upended overnight, forcing staff to resort to makeshift solutions such as self-equipped studios and basic video conferencing systems.

Immediate obstacles requiring innovative thinking and resilience:

The need to transition to remote learning: The program had to shift from in-person instruction and on-site events to online formats for medical professionals.
Resource scarcity: With limited preparation time, the program relied on DIY studios and Zoom webinars to ensure continuity.
Student motivation: Maintaining learner motivation and focus on their user experience in virtual environments became a central concern for program leaders.

While these temporary measures were functional, they highlighted gaps in scalability and technological infrastructure amidst the growing demand for accessible, high-quality education. Furthermore, sustaining student motivation and fostering meaningful relationships between instructors and learners required innovative approaches to maintain interaction within the confines of virtual platforms. These challenges ultimately served as the catalyst for transforming the program into a sustainable, future-proof model.

“What seemed like an insurmountable challenge five years ago has led to a proven model for high-quality education through innovation and technology, setting the stage for future growth.” - Matthieu Kaminski, Program Director

Solution

Faced with the necessity of transitioning from in-person to a fully virtual format, Kaminski opted for the proven and high-performance combination of Logitech and Zoom to implement a solution that was practically ready overnight. By integrating the intuitive, user-friendly Logitech tools for video collaboration with the reliable Zoom platform, Kaminski and his team were able to establish a seamless remote learning solution for medical and optometric professionals in record time.

“The fact that we were able to leverage the available resources despite the circumstances speaks to our team’s resilience and commitment to maintaining access to education. The combination of Logitech and Zoom, with their turnkey, intuitive solutions already designed for remote participation, helped us achieve near-immediate success.” - Matthieu Kaminski

The simplicity and accessibility of these tools enabled immediate functionality and laid the groundwork for more profound improvements in program delivery and scalability in later phases:

Proof of Concept and Pilot Project

The program initially experimented with DIY studio setups, integrating Zoom Rooms and the Logitech Rally Bar system to support remote learning. Using a makeshift audio capture card and a boom microphone, the team developed a functional solution for instruction. Continuous feedback and iterative refinements led to structured pilot programs that improved teaching methodologies and student engagement strategies.

Implementing an LMS for Streamlined Operations

A learning management system (LMS) was introduced to streamline the learner journey from enrollment to certification. This platform centralizes administrative tasks, course listings, transactions, communication with remote learners, and certificate management, thereby enhancing both accessibility and program delivery.

Integrating Advanced AV Solutions

The program incorporates state-of-the-art AV systems, including the Logitech Rally Camera Streamline Kit, Logitech Rally Bar, Logitech Rally Mic Pods, Logitech Tap IP, and Logitech Scribe—all solutions that optimally support hybrid classrooms. The deployment of updated tools improved collaboration and fostered seamless integration between in-person and virtual interactions.

Expanding Reach and Inclusion

The program has broadened its focus to include continuing education in optometry, addressing critical gaps in professional development and expanding its audience globally.

Results

The online live continuing education program celebrates five transformative years, reaffirming its role in reshaping medical and optometric education. With the support of the Office of Virtual Learning Initiatives and the extensive resources of UC Berkeley, this approach has served as a model for institutions seeking innovation, scalability, and significant advancements in higher education.

“Through the combination of technology and a learner-centered approach, we have improved the education of medical and optometric professionals, thereby strengthening our institutional mission to be innovative and inspiring, both locally and globally.” - Matthieu Kaminski

“This journey underscores the importance of collaboration and adaptability. Looking ahead, we are excited to build on this success and inspire others to invest in a better, more inclusive future for education.” - Matthieu Kaminski

Thanks to this rapid integration, the continuing education courses were able to proceed without interruption, ensuring connectivity and engagement during a time when continuity was paramount. The program stands as an example of resilience and innovation, achieving impressive milestones:

A Global Audience: From local communities to international learners, the program has provided equitable access to world-class continuing education.
Technological Excellence: State-of-the-art tools ensured seamless interactions, featuring advanced AV capabilities that bridged physical and virtual learning environments.
Longevity: The successful implementation of the program has made it a staple of the school’s educational offerings.

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