San Diego Continuing Education offers free computer classes and open labs to adult students at six campuses throughout San Diego. Classes are standardized at each campus so regardless of which campus a student attends, they receive the same instruction.
Open Labs
Self-paced, open labs are staffed by Continuing Education instructors. During some labs, there may be an occasional demonstration on a specific topic, but mostly students complete exercises from tutorial books at an individual pace. “One student may be working on a word processing program, and the person next to them could be learning spreadsheets,” said Jim Vincent, Continuing Education Dean of Business Information Technology.
The instructor is able to answer questions, but the class is not formal instruction. Open labs are perfect for anyone who is just beginning to use computers, or for someone interested in learning a specific topic.
Examples of subjects offered in labs are: Access; Business Communications; Business Math; Computer Basics; Excel; Internet Basics; Keyboarding; PowerPoint; and Word. Students work at their own level and pace, and choose to attend in the morning, afternoon, or evening. Weekend labs are also available.
Registration
Classes are free and pre-registration is not necessary. Simply visit the class on the date and time the class meets, and enroll in class. Space is available on a first come, first-served basis.
San Diego Continuing Education is the adult education arm of the San Diego Community College District. It is the only community college continuing education institution in California to meet the standards for independent accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. More than 100,000 students are served per academic year at six main campuses in San Diego. Noncredit classes are available at no cost, including online options.
Certificate programs are offered for numerous Business and Computer topics including: Administrative Assistant, Data Entry Specialist, Interactive Media (IMCP), Web Server Maintenance and Security, Account Clerk, CISCO, Front Desk/Office Assistant, and Medical Office Assistant. Classes are free because San Diego Continuing Education is part of the California system of higher education. Funding also comes through business and industry partnerships.
Due to current statewide fiscal constraints, many classes offered by San Diego Continuing Education are at capacity, and many have waiting lists. It is likely that students may not be able to enroll in the class of choice this fall due to these fiscal constraints, and unprecedented student demand. Continuing Education apologizes in advance for any inconvenience students may experience when attempting to enroll, and encourages people to contact their legislative representative when voicing concerns.