This course is NOT a Distance Study course that you proceed through at your own pace. FCS223 is just like any other lecture hall course you would take during the semester on the UI campus, except that we "meet" in a web interface. This is considered a Web Assisted Blackboard Course. All students progress through the course at the same pace learning the same chapter at the same time. In order to increase our interaction with one another, we will have 4 small group discussions that will take place in real time in Second Life. I will also have Virtual Office hours through Skype and Second Life where we can interact in real time.

Basic Navigation of the Website:

Home: Your basic place to start your navigation of this course

Chapters: Access each Chapter's content and appropriate links

Resources: Student requirements, how the course works, help options

Discussions: All the ways we will be communicating with one another

Blackboard: The portal for Discussions, Assessments, Assignments, and Exams. You must be registered for the course to use these tools.

Process for Each Chapter:

• Go to the website first when starting a chapter and explore the content
• Read the chapter in the book
• Do the Assignment and submit it via Blackboard
• Take the Assessment through Blackboard
  

Grades will be available as soon as the access period is over through Blackboard throughout the duration of the course.

Discussions:
Sign up for discussions on the links provided on the Blackboard site. Discussions will take place in the UI's virtual campus of Idahonia in Second Life. Discussion topics will use information from several chapters at once and will help you apply what you have learned during the course to apparel industry issues.

Final Project and Exams:
The Final Project, Mid-Term, and Final make up half of your grade (400 points out of a possible 800). It is extremely important to do all three. I will NOT move exam dates or offer make up exams. This is an online course, and you can log into the course from any web ready computer.

Your Final Project can be submitted digitally in any format that you feel showcases the content. The most common application is Microsoft Word. The template and outline are available as Word documents or as a pdf file. A basic understanding of Microsoft Word is necessary to complete this project as well as allowing you to function in the working world. Please take some time to become familiar with this software Microsoft Office is available on all UI computer lab computers.

This course relies heavily on your ability to navigate the web,use email, and other digital communication applications. I use Skype for my online chat software (both text and voice) and for office hours. I also hold office hours in Second Life at the same time. If at any time you are having technical problems, email me immediately or better yet call me. I DO NOT LIVE IN MOSCOW AND AM NOT ON CAMPUS. It is important that you call me, email me, or Skype me if you are having any difficulties. I am here to help you but cannot if I don't know about your problem.