Teaching & Learning

The Brown Executive Master in Cybersecurity program is a cohort-based 18-month “Online” Graduate Degree program (though we spend four weeks on campus). The program develops cybersecurity leaders and currently has 24 students in a wide variety of industries, such as healthcare, government, science, military, entertainment, finance, technology, and many others. Our program is predominantly online. The Class of 2021 (Cohort 4) would like to share tips with our colleagues in the Brown Community about successfully and securely navigating online education.

• Embrace remote learning as an opportunity to expand on traditional classroom skills, knowledge and academic practices;
• Utilize a collaborative approach to e-learning to maintain a sense of community by harnessing the power of technology that enables ‘class-room like’ experiences (i.e., Brown’s Zoom meetings). Canvas provides a way to contact all your classmates, but chat apps are efficient at sharing information quickly while maintaining some of the community that was lost when leaving campus.
• Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Requirements can be unclear, or materials can be missing. Ask your classmates for clarification. Contact the professor or their designee via Canvas or email if there are still questions.
• Proactively practice time management.
  • Read all of the assignments and materials when the module opens. It gives you time to read everything with a purpose. It also allows you to conduct research accordingly, which is pertinent to the successful completion of the assignments and goals.
  • There are sometimes hidden assignments and readings in the course module. Reading everything at the beginning will help you find them and set priorities.
  • Identify your coursework learning objectives. Make a note of major assignments, while factoring in other commitments (including both personal and professional).
  • Build a study plan allocating sufficient time for required assignments; creating a weekly or daily schedule can help commit time for e-learning assignments.
  • Chipping away at the work every day helps to avoid last-minute surprises.
  • Understand the deadlines and figure out the time-zone differences. Some courses are more flexible with lateness than others.
  • Ask for help when you need it. • Establish a dedicated learning/study space.
• Establish a routine that includes personal well-being time (i.e., exercise, meditation, reading, etc.)
• Eliminate unnecessary distractions (i.e., limit news, Netflix, social media, etc.)
• Actively participate in e-learning sessions and coursework and log onto courses regularly. Online learning takes commitment. You will take out of it as much as you put in.
• Build your network – use online collaborative sessions to strengthen existing relationships and build new relationships by engaging with others from your cohort. You and your classmates are in this together. It reduces isolation.

Here are some Security Tips for Remote Workers from the National Cybersecurity Alliance: https://staysafeonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/NCSA-Remote-Working-Tipsheet.pdf

We look forward to meeting many of you in May 2021!