Online Learning In 2021
How we're delivering a dynamic online learning environment
The Gallup-Purdue Index is the first of its kind to measure and evaluate the long-term success of college graduates, and its results show that the formula for engaged and thriving graduates is: 1) working on an intensive classroom project that takes a quarter or more to complete and 2) a job where they are able to apply what they learn in the classroom. In fact, those two things double their odds of being engaged in their work later in life. At FIDM, our educational philosophy has always been founded on extensive, specific industry knowledge and real-world experience.
While moving many of our on-campus courses into the remote environment so quickly has been an unexpected challenge, we have been offering eLearning courses and even entire majors online for over 15 years. We’ve been able to build on that foundation to deliver a true FIDM experience for our students. Here's how: A holistic focus on academics, research, student activities, and career planning.
ACADEMICS
Faculty are striving to create the most engaging learning experience for each course. Our online curriculum features demonstrations, discussion groups, Zoom presentations, and sharing of student work. We will continue to offer unique classroom-based projects with mentorship from our Industry Partners, as we develop new and innovative ways to teach online.
There are two types of courses available during this spring and summer: Online Courses and Remote Courses: Online courses are designed to allow students flexibility in scheduling. Assignments and work are due each week at the same time, but can be done at any time during that week. These courses use online tools such as the discussion board and chat rooms to promote interaction with the instructor and peers while allowing students to access and do work at their own pace and time.
Remote classes are most like an on-campus classroom experience and are taught live at the same time and day each week via Zoom. Many students prefer the remote classes because they love the feeling of being "in class,” seeing and interacting with their peers and their instructor in real time, as well as hearing from guest industry speakers just as they would on campus.
RESEARCH
Via our Virtual Library, students are able to access:
- Online Trend Presentations
- The Online Database Collection, including more than 6,000 titles spanning the widest range of subject areas including business, fashion, film, health, history, music, science, and more.
- Academic Video Online, where students can find Coco Before Chanel, Ultrasuede: In Search of Halston, Beautiful Losers, Videofashion News, and more.
- Ebooks, trend forecasts, business and market research information, and magazines and journals.
The Library staff is available for any library-related questions, including the use of any of our Virtual Library resources.
STUDENT ACTIVITIES
Our faculty, staff, and student activities team are planning activities and events weekly to ensure a dynamic student experience from home, including Zoom meetings for all clubs, alumni speakers, presentations from art historians, and workshops such as virtual styling.
CAREER PLANNING
Our Industry Partnerships are with some of the world’s most recognizable and influential brands, including Disney, Nike, Kiehl’s, Victoria’s Secret, Pixar, ColourPop, and more. Our Career Center is doing extensive outreach during this time to secure jobs and internship opportunities with the many companies that hire FIDM Students to give them the edge in the job market in these uncertain times. Even now, we receive over 100 new job postings per week and we expect that to grow significantly as businesses gradually reopen. Our Career Advisors all have Zoom accounts so they are able to work with students and employers more personally and effectively during this time.
We know that supporting our students as they navigate online courses is key, so all faculty are available for remote office hours to answer questions, in writing or via Zoom conferences as requested by their students, and the IDEA Center offers remote tutoring. We have also created an extensive tutorial on Online Learning to be used as a reference. This can be found on the student portal. For technical requirements, please visit our Online Learning Technology FAQs.
We look forward to welcoming our students on campus again in the near future, but in the meantime, they can count on us to provide a robust online experience.