Course Expectations
You should plan to log into your course at least once each day to complete daily assignments and plan time to complete upcoming projects and meet deadlines. Expect to spend 15 to 20 hours per week engaged with course materials and plan your schedule accordingly.
Synchronous Sessions
Mandatory synchronous Zoom sessions will be held on Tuesday and Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. ET each week and will consist of interactive workshops and presentations with your classmates, instructors and/or instructional support staff.
Academic Resources
You should consider taking advantage of many of the resources listed below. In college, getting support and learning outside of class is a great benefit and does not necessarily indicate you are having challenges. It’s a good idea to start getting comfortable using these resources now so you are prepared to do so in college.
- Course Materials: You are notified via your student portal at least two weeks prior to the start of your course regarding books or materials that you need to purchase. You should be prepared with pencils/pens, a notebook and any other essential items that you need for note-taking.
- Canvas: Canvas is the Learning Management Tool that Brown University uses for course materials, syllabus, communication with instructors and other resources for each course. Your instructor may use Canvas to provide you virtual access to course-specific resources.
- Libraries: All active students are able to access University Library resources virtually and in-person. To visit the Brown University Library follow the link here.
- Writing Center: You can make an appointment to request support with writing assignments. Please follow the link here for details and an appointment request form.
- Language Support: Brown offers support to students whose primary language is not English. To find out more and to make an appointment, please follow the link here.
- Instructor Office Hours: Office hours are a regular part of learning in universities. They are not the same as needing to meet with a teacher in high school because there is a problem. During office hours you can discuss course content and assignments, ask questions to expand your learning and have the opportunity to build a relationship with your instructor. Instructors will share their available office hours with you during the first course and likely in the syllabus. We recommend you take advantage of these opportunities.
Inactive Online Students
You are required to remain active throughout your course. Inactivity within your course may result in dismissal from the program and you would not be eligible for a refund or CeCertificate of Completion. To remain active in your course you need to ensure that you are completing work and engaging in your course as required by your instructor as noted within your course syllabus. This includes, but is not limited to, engaging with your classmates/instructor on the discussion board and completing all readings, assignments, projects and assessments on time. You should notify your instructor immediately by email regarding anything that may impact your activity in the course. and iIt is your responsibility to stay up to date with email communications from your instructor and pre-college.
Description of the Action Plan
We believe that students have the ability and responsibility to be engaged global citizens. The Action Plan is a capstone project, enabling you to apply what you've learned at Brown in your home communities.
We will help you define the issues that you are passionate about and construct a plan to address them. We work with you to set realistic goals, identify mentors and resource people and anticipate challenges.
Instructors and Leadership Institute Teaching Associates will help you design an Action Plan that fits your interests and skills. As one of your capstone assignments, you will share an oral presentation of your Action Plan with your peers.
Examples of Action Plans
● Developing a program, initiative or educational campaign (e.g., climate change, media literacy, body image) in your school, house of worship or neighborhood.
● Collaborating with existing organizations or community groups that address a societal problem such as affordable housing, relationship violence or college access.
● Planning and implementing a fundraiser for an organization or cause.
● Improving your own leadership skills or developing your content knowledge around an issue of importance to you.
Activities
As an online student, you are encouraged to participate in extracurricular activities. These activities can connect you with students who are taking other online courses, as well as some students attending programs on the Brown campus. These activities also offer valuable preparation as you consider your college options and provide opportunities to build a wider community. Registration for these events will be available in your student portal at the start of your course.
