The BFC2: Network Security Challenges course is closely related to TGT2. My recommendation would be to take these courses back-to-back and start with TGT2.
Thursday, August 22, 2013
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
LYT2 Current & Emerging Technology
The next subject in my term was LYT2. This course has a total of three tasks.
TGT2 Applications in Network Security Challenges
My second term started with TGT2, Applications in Network Security Challenges. This course has one BOSS task with 4 deliverables. Again my recommendation would be to treat them as separate tasks. I uploaded four different documents.
JIT2: Risk Management
After completing three courses in my first term, I had about two months left so I talked to my mentor and we decided to add another course. This time, I would bite the bullet on JIT2.
MCT2: Technical Writing
The technical writing course was again something close to my field of expertise. In real life I was leading the design and testing of a business solution and that required an extensive amount of technical writing. The timing could not have been better.
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
TFT2: Cyberlaw, Regulations, and Compliance
My next "easy" target was TFT2: Cyberlaw. This is an area that I'm quite familiar with due to my second interest: law. There are a total of 4 separate tasks, each with multiple deliverables. The first three tasks are relatively easy. My task 1 paper was 4 pages, task 2 had 5, and task 3 had just 3 pages. The "boss" task was a bit more work, with a total of 7 pages.
Monday, August 19, 2013
SJT2: Advanced Networking Technology
The first course I took was SJT2. Being a network engineer, I thought this would be the best way to start: on familiar grounds in my comfort zone. Initially, I started reading all the recommended chapters and books. However, after a while I found that the Advanced in "Advanced Networking Technology" is not exactly true. For anyone who works in the networking field, this course will be at the associate level (think CCNA, JNCIA).
Planning your first real course
Once you have everything ready, you will have an important call with your mentor: your goals for the first term. According to the curriculum, your first term will contain Risk Management (JIT2), Current and Emerging Technology (LYT2) and Cyberlaw, Regulations and Compliance (TFT2).
The very first course in your program is JIT2. I would strongly recommend not taking this course as your first course. I did not do that either, and I am very happy about that. JIT2 is not very difficult, but it can be a very dry subject at times, and has three separate deliverables in the Taskstream task.
Instead of JIT2, I chose to have Advanced Networking Technology (SJT2) in my first term, and started with that. SJT2 has separate deliverables as well, but these are close to each other and I was able to integrate them in a single document.
The very first course in your program is JIT2. I would strongly recommend not taking this course as your first course. I did not do that either, and I am very happy about that. JIT2 is not very difficult, but it can be a very dry subject at times, and has three separate deliverables in the Taskstream task.
Instead of JIT2, I chose to have Advanced Networking Technology (SJT2) in my first term, and started with that. SJT2 has separate deliverables as well, but these are close to each other and I was able to integrate them in a single document.
Mentors, taskstream and other stuff you'll be looking at...
After enrollment, the first term starts! This is an exciting period. You'll meet your mentor, who will be your guide in the dark. Ever since the first term, I've had weekly calls with my mentor. Not necessarily because I have question each week, but simply because that gives me a deadline for progress. Like many students, I combine my degree program with work and family. And sometimes it can be difficult to find the time to study. Having a weekly call with my mentor ensures that I will force myself to at least have some progress to report.
The first course for all students is ORA1: Education Without Boundaries Orientation. This is a simple web-based course which will help you find your way in the WGU system. You'll figure out how to access resources, get help and use your student e-mail. No rocket science, so no competency units :)
The first course for all students is ORA1: Education Without Boundaries Orientation. This is a simple web-based course which will help you find your way in the WGU system. You'll figure out how to access resources, get help and use your student e-mail. No rocket science, so no competency units :)
About the enrollment process...
Enrollment at WGU is a chapter by itself. I am a lawful permanent resident (aka greencard holder), so I had to get my foreign credentials evaluated as well as take the TOEFL test.
The first item on my to-do list, evaluating my foreign credentials, is a challenge by itself. Step one is to find an accredited evaluator. I choose WES (World Education Services), at www.wes.org. Next, I had to get my foreign institutions to send all coursework and diploma descriptions to WES directly, in a sealed envelope. WES then verified all documents and performed a course-by-course analysis. Once WES gave their final stamp of approval, they sent it directly to WGU. The good thing about this is that I was not the man in the middle, forwarding envelopes with documentation. The bad thing was that this turned out to be a lenghty procedure.
The second thing to do was to take the TOEFL test, test of English as a foreign language. I took the test in Berkeley, at a dormitory-like institution where I think I was the only non-resident test taker. There were a bunch of foreigners who apparently lived there and studies English. I finished the test before the first break, and passed with a score of 115 (out of 120) without any preparation. Since my name is not Einstein, I can only conclude that the test is quite easy. The test center sent the results directly to WGU.
Once all that paperwork was complete, it was time for WGU's collegiate readiness exam. This was the part where I got a bit nervous since my education did not contain any US based high-school curriculum. However, after preparing a bit using a GED book I bought on Amazon, I took the test and passed without any problems. It turned out to be a lot easier than I expected.
The key is not to be frightened, just take it. If you graduated high school or earned your GED, you will pass. Even if you don't remember half of what you've learned.
Good luck!
The first item on my to-do list, evaluating my foreign credentials, is a challenge by itself. Step one is to find an accredited evaluator. I choose WES (World Education Services), at www.wes.org. Next, I had to get my foreign institutions to send all coursework and diploma descriptions to WES directly, in a sealed envelope. WES then verified all documents and performed a course-by-course analysis. Once WES gave their final stamp of approval, they sent it directly to WGU. The good thing about this is that I was not the man in the middle, forwarding envelopes with documentation. The bad thing was that this turned out to be a lenghty procedure.
The second thing to do was to take the TOEFL test, test of English as a foreign language. I took the test in Berkeley, at a dormitory-like institution where I think I was the only non-resident test taker. There were a bunch of foreigners who apparently lived there and studies English. I finished the test before the first break, and passed with a score of 115 (out of 120) without any preparation. Since my name is not Einstein, I can only conclude that the test is quite easy. The test center sent the results directly to WGU.
Once all that paperwork was complete, it was time for WGU's collegiate readiness exam. This was the part where I got a bit nervous since my education did not contain any US based high-school curriculum. However, after preparing a bit using a GED book I bought on Amazon, I took the test and passed without any problems. It turned out to be a lot easier than I expected.
The key is not to be frightened, just take it. If you graduated high school or earned your GED, you will pass. Even if you don't remember half of what you've learned.
Good luck!
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