Bloustein alumni can get $100 discount on BOCEP Deep Learning classes

Anyone who graduated from Rutgers University's Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, or its predecessor, is eligible to receive a scholarship of $100 toward any Deep Learning course offered by the Bloustein Online Continuing Education Program.

This means that Bloustein alumni would pay only $195 per course.  Alumni can apply the scholarship to any Deep Learning course. Alumni need to get the promotion code before registering to get the discounted price.  To do that, they can send an email to Programs Manager Swena Gulati.  (Please indicate your graduation year and program.  After confirming that you are an alum, we will send you the promotion code by email.)

BOCEP Deep Learning courses provide high-quality, practical and convenient learning for professionals who want more than they usually get in a typical training or conference session. All courses are completely online, and there are no required meetings.  But they are interactive -- you can learn from and share ideas with other professionals and experts through discussion boards and videoconferences.  BOCEP offers courses in a wide range of subjects, including:

• Arts-based planning
• Community development
• Economic development
• Environmental planning
• Leadership and management
• Planning and land use law
• Urban design

Read more...

Learners in June Deep Learning courses to get extra time to complete their final projects

Anyone who registers for Cultural Community Development Studio or  Introduction to Environmental Planning will have the entire month of July to complete their final projects.

We made this adjustment so that learners who want to get a Letter of Completion can accomodate their class into their summer plans.

Both courses begin June 9. The automatic extension applies only to these two courses.  If you are in a Deep Learning course and need an extension to complete your final project, please contact your instructor.

Read more...

Keys to success in a BOCEP Deep Learning course

Here are some keys to success in any Bloustein Online Continuing Education Program Deep Learning course.


1) Being in a BOCEP course is a bit like going to the gym, or being at a party.


If you've never been to a gym before, you might find it to be a bit strange and even intimidating. Because you're encouraged to do something you might not normally do -- such as participating in a discussion board -- you might find it a bit odd at first. But the more you do it, the more comfortable you will be, and the more benefit you will see.

How is a BOCEP class like a party?  You could go to a party and sit back and observe everyone else. But you'll enjoy yourself more if you participate in the activities.


2) Share your views, your experience, your concerns, etc. Some students get intimidated by classmates who say a lot, and wind up not participating in dialogues. Everybody who takes a BOCEP class is smart, and you have something no one else has -- your perspective, wisdom and experience. If you keep your knowledge to yourself, you deny it to your classmates.


3) One of the best ways to learn the subject and retain your knowledge is to back up your assertions with information or references from the readings or other comments.  No, you’re not writing a paper for class, but it helps put a conversation in proper context if you can be clear in your references.


4) BOCEP courses are designed to be convenient for you. That's why we don't have scheduled meetings. But I would recommend scheduling time for this class just as you would a meeting. Some students say to themselves that they will get to the class "later" or "tomorrow" or when they get less busy. But then they get busy doing something else, and by the time they come back to the class, they have so much to catch up on, they get overwhelmed. Please plan to go into your class for a half-hour a day, or an hour every other day.


4) Every BOCEP instructor wants to make sure you get as much as you can out of your class. Please let your instructor or me know as soon as possible if you have any reservations, concerns, or comments. The great thing about the program is that the instructor can make adjustments.


5) All BOCEP Deep Learning courses are taught using a CASE model.  CASE stands for Comprehension, Application, Synthesis and Evaluation. (This is based on Bloom's Taxonomy of Educational Objectives, a standard in adult learning.)   Comprehension is the ability to explain concepts.  Application is the ability to apply those concepts to a real situation.  Synthesis is the ability to connect old and new ways of thinking, or integrate different concepts.  Evaluation is the ability to judge arguments made in, or issues involving, those concepts.

Read more...