
English: 
Hello, and welcome to our information session
about online learning here at UC Berkeley
Extension and Berkeley Global!
During the next 20 minutes, I’m going to
talk about the benefits of taking one of our
amazing online classes and the three different
formats we offer.
You’ll hear from some instructors and graduates
about their experiences and then how you can
get started with an online class.
So let’s get started!
Why should you take an online class?
There are numerous reasons why you should
take an online class and it all starts with
your needs.
Let’s face it: Going back to school—even
part time—can be daunting.
Perhaps you’ve got a full-time job to maintain,
responsibilities in your personal life, and
it sure would be nice to schedule in some
“me” time.

English: 
Hello, and welcome to our information session
about online learning here at UC Berkeley
Extension and Berkeley Global! During the
next 20 minutes, I’m going to talk about
the benefits of taking one of our amazing
online classes and the three different formats
we offer. You’ll hear from some instructors
and graduates about their experiences and
then how you can get started with an online
class.
So let’s get started!
Why should you take an online class?
There are numerous reasons why you should
take an online class and it all starts with
your needs.
Let’s face it: Going back to school—even
part time—can be daunting. Perhaps you’ve
got a full-time job to maintain, responsibilities
in your personal life, and it sure would be

English: 
Or maybe you are a current or recent graduate
who is trying to complete your degree or prepare
for graduate school, juggling coursework in
several subjects or from multiple universities
to meet important deadlines.
When there’s only 24 hours in a day, pursuing
additional education can seem time-prohibitive—but
it doesn’t have to be.
Online learning allows you to get the relevant,
highly sought-after skills in a way that seamlessly
integrates with your busy work schedule and
life.
Whether you’re looking for academic or professional
growth, need to complete prereqs for advanced
study, looking for personal enrichment or
to change your career, online classes and
certificates can fit those needs.
They also give you the flexibility to complete
your coursework when and where that fits your
schedule.
You’ll get Berkeley-quality education, learn
from working professionals and have opportunities
to connect with, learn from and network with
your fellow classmates.
You’re just doing it remotely.

English: 
nice to schedule in some “me” time. Or
maybe you are a current or recent graduate
who is trying to complete your degree or prepare
for graduate school, juggling coursework in
several subjects or from multiple universities
to meet important deadlines. When there’s
only 24 hours in a day, pursuing additional
education can seem time-prohibitive—but
it doesn’t have to be.
Online learning allows you to get the relevant,
highly sought-after skills in a way that seamlessly
integrates with your busy work schedule and
life. Whether you’re looking for academic
or professional growth, need to complete prereqs
for advanced study, looking for personal enrichment
or to change your career, online classes and
certificates can fit those needs. They also
give you the flexibility to complete your
coursework when and where that fits your schedule.
You’ll get Berkeley-quality education, learn
from working professionals and have opportunities
to connect with, learn from and network with
your fellow classmates. You’re just doing
it remotely.

English: 
Here’s Claire sharing a little bit about
her experience

English: 
Here’s Claire sharing a little bit about
her experience

English: 
So let’s dig deeper into what your online
class experience with us will look like.
Depending on your area of interest, and your
prefered method of learning, you can choose
a course that is right for you. In some disciplines,
such as business, community and interaction
with peers and your instructor drive the learning
experience and are reinforced with group projects
with real world relevance. If STEM subjects
are your interest, you will find a course
built with extensive content—including pre-recorded
lectures and assignments—that solidify the
concepts that you need to confidently move
forward in your education or career. These

English: 
So let’s dig deeper into what your online
class experience with us will look like.
Depending on your area of interest, and your
prefered method of learning, you can choose
a course that is right for you.
In some disciplines, such as business, community
and interaction with peers and your instructor
drive the learning experience and are reinforced
with group projects with real world relevance.
If STEM subjects are your interest, you will
find a course built with extensive content—including
pre-recorded lectures and assignments—that
solidify the concepts that you need to confidently
move forward in your education or career.

English: 
These materials are available 24/7 to allow
you to work at your own pace, and are supplemented
by direct interactions with your instructor
and class discussions to keep you connected
to your classmates.
Community.
We’re all about creating learning environments
in which our students can engage with each
other and their instructors.
Online classes offer many opportunities for
this type of engagement, such as responding
to instructor-posed questions, chatting with
other students about the course content, group
projects and the like.
As part of the learning community, your instructor
will always be present by serving as a mentor,
providing personalized feedback and answering
all your questions via email or chat But being
part of this learning community lies in how
much you want to join in on the conversation.

English: 
materials are available 24/7 to allow you
to work at your own pace, and are supplemented
by direct interactions with your instructor
and class discussions to keep you connected
to your classmates.
Community. We’re all about creating learning
environments in which our students can engage
with each other and their instructors. Online
classes offer many opportunities for this
type of engagement, such as responding to
instructor-posed questions, chatting with
other students about the course content, group
projects and the like. As part of the learning
community, your instructor will always be
present by serving as a mentor, providing
personalized feedback and answering all your
questions via email or chat But being part
of this learning community lies in how much
you want to join in on the conversation.

English: 
Here is graduate PJ talking about her 
online experience:
Your instructors.
These are working professionals who are devoted
to their areas of expertise and want to give
back to their community.
They are as passionate about their fields
as they are about teaching!

English: 
Here is graduate PJ talking about her
online experience:
Your instructors. These are working professionals
who are devoted to their areas of expertise
and want to give back to their community.
They are as passionate about their fields
as they are about teaching!

English: 
Just like a classroom course, your instructor
assigns reading materials from a textbook,
within the course modules and perhaps other
mediums, such as videos or podcasts.
All of these avenues aim to strengthen your
knowledge of the subject area.
Your instructor is available, even if he or
she is remote.
We encourage you to communicate with your
instructor if you have questions about the
course content or need additional guidance
on the material that you’re learning.
Consider these opportunities the equivalent
of staying late after class or to ask your
instructor questions in person.
Let’s take a moment to hear from one of
our instructor’s , Dr. Webster

English: 
Just like a classroom course, your instructor
assigns reading materials from a textbook,
within the course modules and perhaps other
mediums, such as videos or podcasts. All of
these avenues aim to strengthen your knowledge
of the subject area. Your instructor is available,
even if he or she is remote. We encourage
you to communicate with your instructor if
you have questions about the course content
or need additional guidance on the material
that you’re learning. Consider these opportunities
the equivalent of staying late after class
or to ask your instructor questions in person.
Let’s take a moment to hear from one of
our instructor’s , Dr. Webster

English: 
So as you can see, taking an online class
gives you Berkeley-quality education without
having to be in a physical classroom.
There are plenty of opportunities to create
your learning community and have access to
your instructor.
These features form the basis of our online
classes, of which we offer three different
types.
Each type offers unique features, depending
on the type of learner you are, how much structure
you need, and how much flexibility you desire.
Do you be to feel part of a learning community?

English: 
So as you can see, taking an online class
gives you Berkeley-quality education without
having to be in a physical classroom. There
are plenty of opportunities to create your
learning community and have access to your
instructor.
These features form the basis of our online
classes, of which we offer three different
types. Each type offers unique features, depending
on the type of learner you are, how much structure
you need, and how much flexibility you desire.
Do you be to feel part of a learning community?

English: 
So let’s go through the three different
types of online classes that you can take.
I want to stress that not all classes offer
these three formats to choose from. Each class
has chosen the best format for the course
content.
First, we offer continuous enrollment classes,
also listed as start anytime on our website.
This format allows for the most flexibility
in your schedule. Once you enroll, you start
the class; there’s no need to wait for a
specific start date . After you enroll, you
progress through the course at your own pace,
and you have six months to complete the class.
There are no specific deadlines; however,
once you turn in an assignment, you need to
wait until your instructor grades and returns
that assignment to you before you can turn
in the next assignment. This doesn’t mean
that you are alone because you will find other
students working alongside you in each module,
and you always have your instructor available
for questions about lecture content and to
provide detailed feedback on your assignments.

English: 
So let’s go through the three different
types of online classes that you can take.
I want to stress that not all classes offer
these three formats to choose from.
Each class has chosen the best format for
the course content.
First, we offer continuous enrollment classes,
also listed as start anytime on our website.
This format allows for the most flexibility
in your schedule.
Once you enroll, you start the class; there’s
no need to wait for a specific start date
. After you enroll, you progress through the
course at your own pace, and you have six
months to complete the class.
There are no specific deadlines; however,
once you turn in an assignment, you need to
wait until your instructor grades and returns
that assignment to you before you can turn
in the next assignment.
This doesn’t mean that you are alone because
you will find other students working alongside
you in each module, and you always have your
instructor available for questions about lecture
content and to provide detailed feedback on
your assignments.

English: 
In continuous enrollment courses, your instructor
serves as your coach and mentor, providing
you with individual feedback from module 1
through the final exam.
Here are some great examples:
In this Neuroscience course, students research
and write a report based on the prompt seen
here. Using the textbook, web searches and
other reliable and credible sources, students
research and write a short report that is
then posted to the online class. Students
read each other’s work, which turns into
really Interesting discussions about the topic
and exploring the subject that much more deeply.
Another example shows that while you may not
be seeing your classmates face-to-face, that
doesn’t mean you don’t get to know them.
In this Emerging Adulthood class, each student
is asked to create a self-defining declaration
and then post a video of themselves reading
that declaration aloud. In this way, you get
to not only see your fellow classmates, but

English: 
In continuous enrollment courses, your instructor
serves as your coach and mentor, providing
you with individual feedback from module 1
through the final exam.
Here are some great examples:
In this Neuroscience course, students research
and write a report based on the prompt seen
here.
Using the textbook, web searches and other
reliable and credible sources, students research
and write a short report that is then posted
to the online class.
Students read each other’s work, which turns
into really Interesting discussions about
the topic and exploring the subject that much
more deeply.
Another example shows that while you may not
be seeing your classmates face-to-face, that
doesn’t mean you don’t get to know them.
In this Emerging Adulthood class, each student
is asked to create a self-defining declaration
and then post a video of themselves reading
that declaration aloud.
In this way, you get to not only see your
fellow classmates, but learn more about them

English: 
as individuals.
So those were some examples of what a continuous
enrollment course looks like.
The second type of online class you can take
is called fixed date.
“Fixed-date” courses have a set start
and end date—in the same way as a classroom
course.
Fixed date courses usually run about two to
3 months.
This type of online class also has a cohort
of students, in much the same way as an in-person
class.
You’ll have weekly assignments that are
due on specific dates, but it’s up to you

English: 
learn more about them as individuals.
So those were some examples of what a continuous
enrollment course looks like. The second type
of online class you can take is called fixed
date.
“Fixed-date” courses have a set start
and end date—in the same way as a classroom
course. Fixed date courses usually run about
two to 3 months. This type of online class
also has a cohort of students, in much the
same way as an in-person class. You’ll have
weekly assignments that are due on specific
dates, but it’s up to you and your schedule

English: 
during that week of when you can devote your
time to working on those assignments in order
to meet their due dates. Instructors lead
group discussions and postings to forums.
Some of these classes also have group projects!
Here are some great examples.
In our Project Management class, students
are put into groups to work on a team project
throughout the course of the class. Despite
potentially being in different time zones,
students work together to complete a portion
of the overall team project each week. They’re
communicating with each other over email or
a virtual conference call.
In this UX class, group assignments combine
collaboration in both Google Sheets and online
discussion. Assignments also include peer
reviews to get feedback and additional community-building.
Lastly, we offer an enhanced version of our
fixed-date online class called Live Online.
This has the same set up as the fixed-date
class, such as specific start and end dates,

English: 
and your schedule during that week of when
you can devote your time to working on those
assignments in order to meet their due dates.
Instructors lead group discussions and postings
to forums.
Some of these classes also have group projects!
Here are some great examples.
In our Project Management class, students
are put into groups to work on a team project
throughout the course of the class.
Despite potentially being in different time
zones, students work together to complete
a portion of the overall team project each
week.
They’re communicating with each other over
email or a virtual conference call.
In this UX class, group assignments combine
collaboration in both Google Sheets and online
discussion.
Assignments also include peer reviews to get
feedback and additional community-building.
Lastly, we offer an enhanced version of our
fixed-date online class called Live Online.
This has the same set up as the fixed-date
class, such as specific start and end dates,
but adds classroom-style interactive learning.

English: 
You will attend scheduled online sessions
with your instructor and classmates using
a virtual conferencing platform such as Zoom.
Instructors will deliver course content in
interactive video conference sessions that
are thoughtfully designed and executed.
This adds additional community and engagement
with your instructor and classmates while
you work on assignments and other course work.
And here’s Pre-med student Fehreen discussing
her experience
And here’s Instructor Stephen Torres sharing
his experience.
So which format is right for you?
Well, that depends on your schedule, flexibility
and needs.
For example, are you concerned about your
pace of learning?
Do you need more structure of when to do your
readings and turn in your assignments?
Or do you want more flexibility built into
your online learning calendar?
If you want more structure—similar to an
in-person classroom course—you’d be best
suited to take our fixed-date or live online
classes.

English: 
but adds classroom-style interactive learning.
You will attend scheduled online sessions
with your instructor and classmates using
a virtual conferencing platform such as Zoom.
Instructors will deliver course content in
interactive video conference sessions that
are thoughtfully designed and executed. This
adds additional community and engagement with
your instructor and classmates while you work
on assignments and other course work.
And here’s Pre-med student Fehreen discussing
her experience
And here’s Instructor Stephen Torres sharing
his experience.
So which format is right for you? Well, that
depends on your schedule, flexibility and
needs.
For example, are you concerned about your
pace of learning? Do you need more structure
of when to do your readings and turn in your
assignments? Or do you want more flexibility
built into your online learning calendar?
If you want more structure—similar to an
in-person classroom course—you’d be best

English: 
suited to take our fixed-date or live online
classes. If you want more flexibility of when
to begin your course, listen to lectures and
submit your assignments, then a continuous
enrollment class is right for you.
Or is having a sense of community really important
to you? Are you looking for more interaction
with your instructor and fellow classmates?
Or are you a self learner?
If you consider yourself a self learner and
just need interaction with your instructor
to ask questions, get clarification and the
like, you’re better suited for a continuous
enrollment class. Because students enroll
in this type of online class at any given
point during the year, there’s not much
of a true cohort feel like you would get in
a classroom setting. On the other hand, if
you really enjoy a lot of engagement and community
building and more opportunities to network,
then a fixed-date or live online class is
perfect for you. You’re studying with a
distinct group of students who are progressing
through the course at the same pace that you
are.

English: 
If you want more flexibility of when to begin
your course, listen to lectures and submit
your assignments, then a continuous enrollment
class is right for you.
Or is having a sense of community really important
to you?
Are you looking for more interaction with
your instructor and fellow classmates?
Or are you a self learner?
If you consider yourself a self learner and
just need interaction with your instructor
to ask questions, get clarification and the
like, you’re better suited for a continuous
enrollment class.
Because students enroll in this type of online
class at any given point during the year,
there’s not much of a true cohort feel like
you would get in a classroom setting.
On the other hand, if you really enjoy a lot
of engagement and community building and more
opportunities to network, then a fixed-date
or live online class is perfect for you.
You’re studying with a distinct group of
students who are progressing through the course
at the same pace that you are.

English: 
I want to give you an inside sneak-peak at
what some of our online courses look like.
Here’s a snippet of a pre-recorded lecture
from our Neuroscience online class.
And here’s one of the lectures from a User
Experience course:
Here’s what happens when you get instructors
in our studio together:
And when watching videos and doing readings
makes your eyes start to water, some online
classes have course material in podcast form,
like this one:
Taking an online class requires a strong dedication
to your studies. We are devoted to making
sure that each of our students succeeds in
their academic endeavors, so here are some
tips to help you be your best online learner:
Schedule: Consider your schedule and other
commitments. Think about your top priorities
at work and at home, and what you may be able
to shift to create time for readings and assignments.
Knowing all of your commitments in advance
will help you to allocate time to schoolwork
and maintain balance. Use phone apps with
reminders at 1-week, 3-day and 1-day intervals
to remind yourself of homework assignments.
Google offers a great calendar you can sync
with your phone’s calendar.
Don’t fall behind! Stay on top of the syllabus
and required coursework. Utilize time and
resource management tips from the experts.

English: 
I want to give you an inside sneak-peak at
what some of our online courses look like.
Here’s a snippet of a pre-recorded lecture
from our Neuroscience online class.
And here’s one of the lectures from a User
Experience course:
Here’s what happens when you get instructors
in our studio together:
And when watching videos and doing readings
makes your eyes start to water, some online
classes have course material in podcast form,
like this one:
Taking an online class requires a strong dedication
to your studies.
We are devoted to making sure that each of
our students succeeds in their academic endeavors,
so here are some tips to help you be your
best online learner:
Schedule: Consider your schedule and other
commitments.
Think about your top priorities at work and
at home, and what you may be able to shift
to create time for readings and assignments.
Knowing all of your commitments in advance
will help you to allocate time to schoolwork
and maintain balance.
Use phone apps with reminders at 1-week, 3-day
and 1-day intervals to remind yourself of
homework assignments.
Google offers a great calendar you can sync
with your phone’s calendar.
Don’t fall behind!
Stay on top of the syllabus and required coursework.
Utilize time and resource management tips
from the experts.

English: 
Technology: You’ll be spending a lot of
time online; make sure you have the right
tools to make it happen. A strong internet
connection that can support videos and online
meetings. For our Live Online format, you’ll
want to make sure that you have a computer
that has access to a webcam and microphone.
These are usually built into your computer.
You’ll need these tools to connect with
your instructors and fellow students.
Be an active participant. Visit the online
course regularly to check for updates, download
materials and participate in online discussions.
Just like a classroom class, you are expected
to do the prep work, read all assigned readings
and maintain academic integrity.
Many of your assignments will require posting
comments on the message board or responding
to posts from instructors or students. This
allows you to have in-depth interaction with
your classmates and engage in interesting
discussions on what you are learning.
If you have questions about the course material,
reach out to your instructor and be specific.
Describe your confusion or problem in detail;
chances are others in the class are wondering
about the same thing.

English: 
Technology: You’ll be spending a lot of
time online; make sure you have the right
tools to make it happen.
A strong internet connection that can support
videos and online meetings.
For our Live Online format, you’ll want
to make sure that you have a computer that
has access to a webcam and microphone.
These are usually built into your computer.
You’ll need these tools to connect with
your instructors and fellow students.
Be an active participant.
Visit the online course regularly to check
for updates, download materials and participate
in online discussions.
Just like a classroom class, you are expected
to do the prep work, read all assigned readings
and maintain academic integrity.
Many of your assignments will require posting
comments on the message board or responding
to posts from instructors or students.
This allows you to have in-depth interaction
with your classmates and engage in interesting
discussions on what you are learning.
If you have questions about the course material,
reach out to your instructor and be specific.
Describe your confusion or problem in detail;
chances are others in the class are wondering
about the same thing.

English: 
Connect with your classmates. Online courses
mean the student body is not restricted to
one geographical area. Take advantage of this
diversity—reach out to your fellow students
and learn about their work, career paths,
and the different types of jobs and opportunities
available.
Connect with classmates on LinkedIn to broaden
your professional network. Leverage these
relationships for future jobs or collaborations.
Your classmates are also a great sounding
board for new ideas, and can provide valuable
advice and mentorship. Utilize your new community
and reach out.
But disconnect from distractions! Readings
and assignments require a lot of focus and
concentration so set yourself up to do your
best work.
Turn off your phone and log off social media.
If you feel the urge, take a break. Just be
sure to remember your goals and limit your
time.
Find a productive study space. Whether it
is a university library, coffee shop or just

English: 
Connect with your classmates.
Online courses mean the student body is not
restricted to one geographical area.
Take advantage of this diversity—reach out
to your fellow students and learn about their
work, career paths, and the different types
of jobs and opportunities available.
Connect with classmates on LinkedIn to broaden
your professional network.
Leverage these relationships for future jobs
or collaborations.
Your classmates are also a great sounding
board for new ideas, and can provide valuable
advice and mentorship.
Utilize your new community and reach out.
But disconnect from distractions!
Readings and assignments require a lot of
focus and concentration so set yourself up
to do your best work.
Turn off your phone and log off social media.
If you feel the urge, take a break.
Just be sure to remember your goals and limit
your time.
Find a productive study space.
Whether it is a university library, coffee
shop or just your kitchen table, find out

English: 
your kitchen table, find out where you work
and focus best.
Take time for yourself. When you’re in a
gym class, the instructor often reminds you
to breathe. You’re so focused on what you’re
doing—and possibly the pain!—that you
can forget something as basic as breathing.

English: 
where you work and focus best.
Take time for yourself.
When you’re in a gym class, the instructor
often reminds you to breathe.
You’re so focused on what you’re doing—and
possibly the pain!—that you 
can forget something as basic as breathing.

English: 
The same concept applies to your education:
Don’t forget to breathe, and to pace yourself.
Make sure you take regular breaks and get
some “me” time to unwind: go for a walk,
watch your favorite TV show, spend time with
friends and family, etc.
Remember what you’re doing this for.
You’re going to have those days where it
feels overwhelming, but there is light at
the end of the tunnel.
When you’ve completed the course, you’ll
have a greater depth of knowledge, access
to a global network of professionals in your
field, and the knowledge and skills crucial

English: 
The same concept applies to your education:
Don’t forget to breathe, and to pace yourself.
Make sure you take regular breaks and get
some “me” time to unwind: go for a walk,
watch your favorite TV show, spend time with
friends and family, etc.
Remember what you’re doing this for. You’re
going to have those days where it feels overwhelming,
but there is light at the end of the tunnel.
When you’ve completed the course, you’ll
have a greater depth of knowledge, access
to a global network of professionals in your

English: 
field, and the knowledge and skills crucial
to a successful future.
So how can you get started with one of
our online classes or a full certificate?
Head on over to extension.berkeley.edu and
click on Online Learning. Here, you’ll see
all of our courses and certificates that can
be completed in one of the 3 different online
formats I described earlier.

English: 
to a successful future.
So how can you get started with one of 
our online classes or a full certificate?
Head on over to extension.berkeley.edu and
click on Online Learning.
Here, you’ll see all of our courses and
certificates that can be completed in one
of the 3 different online formats I described
earlier.

English: 
You
can view by programs or certificates or at
the individual course level. From business
classes to science prereqs to writing classes,
we offer a wide variety of
online offerings to meet your professional
and academic needs.

English: 
You 
can view by programs or certificates or at
the individual course level.
From business classes to science prereqs to
writing classes, we offer a wide variety of
online offerings to meet your professional
and academic needs.
You can enroll in a single class.
Or take a couple of classes.

English: 
You can enroll in a single class. Or take
a couple of classes. Or you can register for
a certificate and go through a prescribed
set of courses. The choice is fully up to
you!

English: 
Or you can register for a certificate and
go through a prescribed set of courses.
The choice is fully up to you!

English: 
Once you select your course and pay for it
at the checkout stage, you’ll receive confirmation

English: 
Once you select your course and pay for it
at the checkout stage, you’ll receive confirmation

English: 
emails describing next steps on when you can
log in to your class and start your Berkeley
education.
If you have any additional questions about
our online courses or where to start, here
is contact information for each of our academic
departments.
I encourage you to reach out to the respective
academic department if you have questions
about a specific online class.
We’re always available to discuss how an
online course or certificate can help you
on your career path.
Thank you again for taking the time to learn
about our online classes and we look forward
to seeing you in one of our online classrooms!

English: 
emails describing next steps on when you can
log in to your class and start your Berkeley
education.
If you have any additional questions about
our online courses or where to start, here
is contact information for each of our academic
departments. I encourage you to reach out
to the respective academic department if you
have questions about a specific online class.
We’re always available to discuss how an
online course or certificate can help you
on your career path.
Thank you again for taking the time to learn
about our online classes and we look forward
to seeing you in one of our online classrooms!
