2. ii
Contents
Full Sail University Mission��������������������������� 1
Full Sail University Online����������������������������� 1
Understanding Full Sail University’s
Schedule������������������������������������������������������ 2
Getting Connected�������������������������������������� 2
Check your Internet connection�������������������������������������� 2
Full Sail University Email����������������������������� 3
Check your email every day������������������������������������������� 3
Set your time zone ��������������������������������������������������� 3
Making the Most of Your Program of Study � 4
Read instructions carefully������������������������������������������� 4
Access your downloads promptly������������������������������������ 4
Stay in touch with your instructors���������������������������������� 5
Prepare for your future����������������������������������������������� 6
Using Tools for Time Management��������������� 7
Keep a detailed calendar�����������������������������������������������7
Set up reminders�������������������������������������������������������7
Protecting Your Academic Integrity������������� 8
Academic Dishonesty������������������������������������������������� 8
Research enthusiastically��������������������������������������������� 9
Document your sources���������������������������������������������� 9
Where to Find Help�������������������������������������10
Online Support ������������������������������������������������������� 10
Connect��������������������������������������������������������������� 10
Full Sail University Library������������������������������������������� 10
Student Success Services�������������������������������������������� 11
The Writing Center��������������������������������������������������� 11
Advising��������������������������������������������������������������� 11
Financial Aid���������������������������������������������������������� 11
Professional Development������������������������������������������� 11
Career Development������������������������������������������������� 11
FSO Support Fact Card�������������������������������� 12
3. Orientation Guide Full Sail University Mission
1
Orientation Guide
Welcome to Full Sail University’s Orientation Guide. The
information in this product will introduce you to the ins and outs of
your courses, interacting with your instructors, and good practices
for becoming successful at Full Sail University.
Full Sail University Mission
People from around the world come to Full Sail to pursue their
educational goals, and they share one thing in common—a passion
for creative careers in the entertainment and media industry.
Full Sail University’s mission is to provide students with an
innovative style of education, delivered by a staff of dedicated
individuals, that addresses the career opportunities available
in an ever-growing, constantly evolving industry. We do this by
developing unique curricula that combine elements of creativity,
art, business and life skills, technical prowess, and academic
achievement. Our education is delivered via immersive teaching
methods, both in Full Sail’s real-world production studios and
classrooms, as well as through our online learning environment.
Every one of our degree programs is designed to provide students
with knowledge and real-world experience that will help them
realize their career goals in the entertainment and media industry.
Full Sail University Online
Online degree programs and courses are delivered over the Full
Sail Online (FSO) learning environment—a secure web-based
platform that employs modern multimedia technologies and is
accessible twenty-four hours a day via the Internet. Students use
this system to view video content, receive and submit project
work and assignments, take tests and quizzes, communicate
with instructors and classmates, and review grades and course
progress.
If you are serious about
your dream, we’ll take your
DREAM
SERIOUSLY.
4. Orientation Guide Understanding Full Sail University’s Schedule
2
Understanding Full Sail
University’s Schedule
Full Sail’s schedule is intense. As a student in our accelerated
program, you’ll complete a class every month. This schedule comes
with significant advantages and challenges.
Because you’ll be moving quickly from one course to the next, the
information you learn will always be fresh in your mind. You’ll be
able to keep up with industry trends, and you will also have the
ability to launch swiftly into your career.
With this accelerated schedule, you will need to take special
care to plan enough time for your course work and to manage
your assignment deadlines. If you sense you may have trouble
meeting a deadline, you are encouraged to contact your instructor
immediately. Full Sail University instructors are available to help
with time management so that students do not fall behind in their
work.
Getting Connected
First, let’s start with some connection basics. These guidelines
ensure you will be able to conduct course work and interact
effectively with your instructor and classmates.
Check your Internet connection
You will need a wired, high-speed connection
You will need a broadband connection at home to complete your
assignments, communicate with your teachers and classmates, and
stream video from the FSO platform.
Have a backup plan
If you ever encounter a problem with your primary connection,
make sure you plan to have a second location where you can go to
complete your assignments on time. Some good locations include a
public library or local café.
NOTE: A cell-phone data connection is not
sufficient for completing your course work.
TIP: Store your Internet provider’s phone
number in your cell phone for quick access
to support.
5. Orientation Guide Full Sail University Email
3
Full Sail University Email
Check your email every day
Your email is your primary way to stay in contact with Full Sail
University and your instructors. There are three ways to access
your email:
1. On the Connect Community Home page, in the left column,
under Bookmarks
2. Directly at http://mail.fullsail.edu
3. By visiting http://outlook.com, where you will need to provide
your full email address to log in, including your suffix,
“@fullsail.edu”
Set up an email signature
An email signature is a block of text that appears at the bottom of
all of your outgoing emails. The information it displays typically
includes your name and contact information. Having a signature
makes your emails easier to identify by recipients and adds a level
of professionalism to your communications.
To create your signature, sign in to your Full Sail University email
using the Outlook web access link and click Options at the top
right. Under Options, select See All Options. On the following
page, select Settings from the left column. This will route you to
the signature area. Type your text in the signature field and click
Save on the bottom right.
An example of an appropriate signature is below:
Jane Doe
222 Woodland Drive
407-555-7359
Set your time zone
Full Sail University operates in the Eastern Standard time zone
(EST). For each activity in FSO, the deadline for submitting
assignments extends until 11:59 p.m. EST on the specified due date.
A feature within FSO allows you to adjust to your time zone within
the platform. This is available on the Account page and on the
main Activities page. Remember to update your time zone within
FSO if you travel during a course; the time zone will not udpate
automatically.
Alternately, you can set the clock on the computer you use for
course work to this time zone to stay synchronized with FSO
deadlines.
If you are not in the Eastern Standard time zone and do not wish
to adjust your computer’s clock, be sure to adjust for your time
difference when submitting your work so that it will be received on
time.
6. Orientation Guide Making the Most of Your Program of Study
4
Making the Most of Your
Program of Study
The following guidelines offer some practical tips and time-tested
behaviors for achieving success in your Full Sail University courses.
Read instructions carefully
The instructions for all of your assignments will be available well
before each assignment is due. As you progress in your courses,
read all instructions as soon as they become available. Adopting
this behavior will ensure you’ll have plenty of time to ask questions
and get any clarification you may need.
Another good practice is to read the instructions as you work on
an assignment, and then check them again after you’ve completed
it. Perform these checks and balances to confirm you’ve addressed
everything that’s been asked of you before submitting your work.
Access your downloads promptly
Assignment downloads will be available before an assignment is
due from the Downloads section of your assignment. Download
these assets as soon as they are made available, and use an
organized filing system to save them on your computer. Doing this,
you will be able to find and access assignment files at any time and
without an Internet connection.
Syllabus
Each course syllabus is a roadmap to the course and how you will
learn throughout the month. The syllabus document outlines what
your instructor will expect from you and what you can expect from
your instructor. It communicates the course’s topics and themes,
important ties to your overall program of study and your industry,
overviews of learning activities, and grading criteria.
As soon as you log in to a course for the first time, download,
read, and take notes on the syllabus. Reach out to your instructor
immediately if you have any questions on the syllabus content.
VISUAL STORYTELLING
WEEK ONE
OBJECTIVES
You will explore the development of film technology, genres, and impactful
contributors to the industry. You will be expected to disect the various
characteristics of genres and name filmmakers who exhibit or have influenced these
stylings in a presentation.
THEMES
Film Technology, Genres, Filmmakers, Cinematic Style
INPUTS
Lecture: Characteristics of Sound
PROCESS
Lab: Characteristics of Sound
OUTPUTS
Emotion video
INSPIRATION
Audire Menandri Et by Mea Aeterno
EXTRAS
Final Cut Pro X 10.1.x Essential Training
GRADE WEIGHT
Emotion Video 10%
Painting Video 10%
Schematic of a Scene and Presentation 10%
Visual Components Graph 20%
FINAL PROJECT 30%
Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4
4 DAYS OF WORK
WEEK ONE GUIDE
7. Orientation Guide Making the Most of Your Program of Study
5
Course at a Glance
This document displays all of the course assignments and
deadlines where they occur during the month. You can add
this information to your personal calendar to help track your
assignments and manage your time throughout length of the
course.
Course Downloads
Instructors often provide additional resources to support course
content. You can locate these assets by checking the Downloads
section of the course description page.
E-Books
If a course uses an e-book as a support
text, an email will be sent to you at your
official Full Sail University email account
with a link and instructions to access
your e-book. As soon as you receive the
instructional email, go online and make
sure you can access the e-book.
If you have any problems with an e-book that you have been
emailed access for, contact FSO Support. Refer to the FSO Support
Fact Card at the end of this guide for more contact and support
service information.
Stay in touch with your instructors
Staying in close communication with your instructors and
classmates is important because you won’t see them face-to-
face every day. Communicating promptly and professionally will
enhance the overall course experience for everyone.
For example, if you know you have an obligation that might
interfere with your course work, reach out to your instructors
early—well before an assignment is due—so you can work together
to develop a plan to help keep you on track.
The same holds true if you’re working with classmates on a group
assignment. If everyone is aware of an issue that may affect the
group’s progress in advance, it relieves the pressure of finding a
solution to accommodate your needs at the last minute.
English Composition
Course at a Glance Time Management Suggestions
English Composition
Course at a Glance Time Management Suggestions
English Composition
Course at a Glance Time Management Suggestions
English Composition
Course at a Glance Time Management Suggestions
English Composition
Course at a Glance Time Management Suggestions
English Composition
Course at a Glance Time Management Suggestions
English Composition
Course at a Glance Time Management Suggestions
English Composition
Course at a Glance Time Management Suggestions
Week Mon Tues Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Week 1
‣ Read instructions for
open activities
‣ Begin work on Week
1 Activities
‣ First Week 1
Discussion post due
‣ File Management
Project Due (5%)
‣ Instant Message
Project Due (5%)
‣ Second Week 1
Discussion post due
(5%)
Week 2
‣ Read instructions for
open activities
‣ Begin work on Week
2 Activities
‣ Week 1 Assessment
Due (5%)
‣ First Week 2
Discussion post due
‣ Second Week 2
Discussion post due
(10%)
Week 3
‣ Read instructions for
open activities
‣ Begin work on Week
3 Activities
‣ Week 2 Project Due
(15%)
‣ Embed Podcast on
Comm discussion
board
‣ First Week 3
Discussion post due
‣ Second Week 3
Discussion post due
(10%)
Week 4
‣ Read instructions for
open activities
‣ Begin work on Week
4 Activities
‣ Week 3 Project Due
(10%)
‣ First Week 4
Discussion post due
‣ Second Week 4
Discussion post due
(15%)
‣ Week 4 Project Due
(15%)
8. Orientation Guide Making the Most of Your Program of Study
6
Instructor Contact Information
Contact information for your instructor can be found by clicking
an instructor’s avatar or the envelope icon from the course banner
in FSO. You can also initiate a new message to your instructor by
clicking the envelope icon in his or her avatar.
Your instructor may publish additional contact information in
several key places around the platform. Be sure to check your
Course Syllabus, Announcements, and the About tab to locate this
information.
Instructor Availability
Each instructor sets up his or her individual office hours. Make a
note of when your instructor is available to communicate via email,
speak over the phone, or chat online. Keeping these office hours
in mind will permit you to ask any questions that arise over the
appropriate platform.
Prepare for your future
Portfolio Development
Every academic track includes an integrated portfolio system that
runs in parallel with your Full Sail core curriculum. Each semester,
you will have an opportunity to flex your skills and have a platform
for receiving feedback on your progress from faculty mentors and
peers.
Your portfolio courses will occur with each semester, and each
portfolio course is a highly personalized and creative experience.
You will work directly with faculty mentors to create new projects
using the skills and techniques that you have mastered up to
that point in your educational journey. Throughout your core
coursework, activities will also be designed that will help enhance
and expand your growing suite of skills. When you complete your
program, you will have a comprehensive portfolio of all of your
work to showcase to prospective employers, clients, investors, and
industry groups.
9. Orientation Guide Using Tools for Time Management
7
Career Planning
Every program at Full Sail University provides students with
opportunities to invest seriously in their professional growth.
Because of our Career Development department’s many
interactions and experience within the industry, we are able to
provide you with a professional-development education that
directly correlates with the expectations of today’s employers.
Online career modules are strategically paced throughout your
program to help you work step-by-step toward achieving your
ultimate career goals. In these modules, you will build a personal
brand, research careers, cultivate targeted
career strategies, strengthen your
résumé and interviewing skills, and
gain insight on how to work within
your respective industry. These
career modules are aligned to help
you develop skills that will increase
your employability and reinforce your
focus on the career options on your
personal horizon.
Using Tools for Time
Management
Keep a detailed calendar
Your success in learning, online and on campus, depends on
self-discipline. Use a calendar to plan your time and keep track of
important dates. Develop the habit of scheduling time windows
for reading, communicating with instructors, and completing
assignments.
Include school responsibilities, assignment due dates, and personal
commitments on your calendar. Check your Full Sail University
email and course announcements each day to stay aware of
changes as they happen.
Set up reminders
You can make use of digital tools on your computer and
smartphone to set up automatic notifications to remind you of
important deadlines and appointments.
10. Orientation Guide Protecting Your Academic Integrity
8
Protecting Your Academic
Integrity
Full Sail University holds all students to rigorous ethical standards
of academic integrity. These standards ensure that you get the
most of your course work and that your professional reputation
and Full Sail University’s reputation are protected.
Students demonstrate academic integrity by pursuing their
academic work with absolute honesty. They strive to meet and
exceed all assignment requirements and diligently demonstrate
that their work is entirely their own. Students are also careful to
clearly and overtly document where their work references others’
thoughts, work, or ideas.
Academic integrity requires hard and thoughtful work. It is a
quality that leads to personal and professional growth.
Academic Dishonesty
Academic Dishonesty is any attempt to obtain credit for course
work other than by submitting original work as required by an
assignment’s instructions. Dishonest behavior hurts a student’s
professional reputation and is not tolerated by Full Sail University.
Some consequences include failing an assignment, having to retake
(and repay for) a class, and even being expelled permanently from
Full Sail University.
Student guidelines and examples of Academic Dishonesty are
outlined in the Full Sail University Student Manual. Please refer to
your Student Manual for a full disclosure of the consequences for
instances of Academic Dishonesty.
For information on how to avoid plagiarism, you may visit
www.plagiarism.org.
11. Orientation Guide Protecting Your Academic Integrity
9
Research enthusiastically
As a student at Full Sail University, many of your assignments will
require you to read, watch, listen to, and explore works related to
an assignment topic. Often, you’ll be asked to discuss the ideas in
these works, share your own ideas about them, locate and examine
related works, and create your own new works based on the
insight you’ve collected. Research at Full Sail University takes these
and many other creative forms.
Document your sources
Documentation is the process of carefully identifying who
created the ideas you explore in your research and where your
sources can be found. Be clear about who created an original
work or idea that you reference. You are responsible for citing or
referencing your sources consistently and appropriately. To find
out more about how to do this, you can ask your instructor or visit
www.apastyle.org.
12. Orientation Guide Where to Find Help
10
Where to Find Help
The following resources are available to Full Sail University
students to enrich their academic experience and further their
academic and professional goals. Be sure to explore these
resources throughout the length of your career with Full Sail
University, as they are direct avenues to support, research, writing
assistance, professional development, and student advising, to
name a few.
Online Support
The staff of FSO Support works together with
students, faculty, and administration to make your
experience positive, reassuring, and seamless
throughout your online courses. Their mission is to
provide the highest standard of technical support
and to nurture your growth and development while
allowing you to enhance the skills necessary to be successful in an
online environment.
See the FSO Support Fact Card at the end of this guide for
information on what services this team provides and how to reach
them.
Connect
Connect (connect.fullsail.edu) is the Full Sail University
student portal; members of the Full Sail community
use Connect to gain access to information and tools
that allow them to virtually interact with each other.
Connect is the gateway to access online courses in
the Full Sail Online student platform and also offers
navigation to many other student resources and organizations.
Full Sail University Library
To access the online library, click Library, located
in the top center of the My Courses page on FSO.
You can also access it from the bookmarks on your
Connect home page.
Review the list of your library resources on the
Library home page under Bookmarks on the right panel. Links to
many Library offerings are available, including the Online Library
Catalog, Online Library Mobile Access, Research Databases,
Additional Resources, and Interlibrary Loan Request.
Here is a brief description what is offered by each link:
ŸŸ The Online Library Catalog links to LibraryWorld, an online
database of texts and e-books.
ŸŸ The Online Library Mobile Access provides access to
LibraryWorld from your mobile device.
ŸŸ Research Databases is an extensive list of online resources for
course-specific research and assignment-related tools.
ŸŸ Additional Resources is a list of supplementary links to
course-related content.
ŸŸ The Interlibrary Loan Request link allows you to request
materials that are not already included in these resources.
13. Orientation Guide Where to Find Help
11
Student Success Services
Student Success Services provides support to
students who are struggling academically. You can
contact them at success@fullsail.com and via phone at
407-679-0100, ext. 8161.
The Writing Center
To reach the Writing Center, visit the Connect home
page, select the Organizations menu, and click
Writing Center. The Profile tab contains an overview,
office details, and contact information for this
organization.
Advising
To reach the Advising team’s page, go to the Connect
home page, select the Organizations menu, and then
select Advisors. On the Advisors page, click on the
Profile tab to see your Advisor’s contact information
and office hours.
Financial Aid
To reach the Financial Aid page, go to the Connect
home page, select the Organizations menu, and then
select Financial Aid.
Professional Development
To reach the Professional Development page, go to
the Connect home page, select the Organizations
menu, and then select Professional Development.
You can find the Professional Development staff’s
contact information under the Profile tab. Links to
workshops, volunteer opportunities, and monthly
Global Professionalism Standards (GPS) opportunities are available
under Bookmarks in the right column. Details about Full Sail
University’s GPS program can be found in your Student Manual.
Career Development
The Career Development department handles all
aspects of student-industry relations. To route to the
Career Development page, click the Organizations
menu on the Connect home page, and then click
Career Development.
14. FSO Support Fact Card
FSO Support Contact Information
Email
fsosupport@fullsail.com
Toll-Free Telephone Number
1-877-437-6349
Hours
Monday to Sunday, 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. (EST)
FSO Support Knowledge Base
https://fso.zendesk.com
Full Sail University Connect Page
https://orgsync.com/50452/chapter
The Student Support Center (SSC) Team
For help with: Advising, Education, Business Office, Financial Aid, contacting
your instructor, etc.
Email
studentsupport@fullsail.com
Toll-Free Telephone Number
1-855-FSHELP2
Hours
Monday to Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Friday, 8:30 am to 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Full Sail University Connect Page
https://orgsync.com/52122/chapter
FSO Support’s Mission
To provide superior customer service, guidance, and resolutions for
students experiencing technical difficulty while using our learning
management system (LMS) and associated products.
FSO Support offers help in the following areas:
• FSO 3.0 functionality
• Log-in and access to FSO 3.0
• Accessing My Courses using Full Sail University Connect
• Basic support for Project LaunchBox items that are provided across
all degree programs (iLife, iWork, Microsoft Office)
• Basic software installation for Project LaunchBox–specific components
• OS X basics
• Windows basics
• Student email basics
• E-book and PDF readers
• Logistics and materials
• Web browser basics
• File-sharing solutions
• Chat interfaces
• Google Drive apps
• Technical functionality related to completing assignments while using
the solutions listed above (i.e., how to export a GarageBand file)
FSO Support is unable to assist with the following topics, and
students should contact their instructors for assistance:
• Degree-specific Project LaunchBox software and hardware help
(Maya, Pro Tools, Adobe Master Suite, Logic Pro, Final Cut Pro,
cameras, gear, equipment, etc.)
• Third-party software, applications, and websites used at the course
level that are included by the instructor and not in Project LaunchBox
• Assignment clarification
• How to complete assignments
• Resubmitting assignments
• Extensions on assignments
NOTE: To uphold Full Sail University’s Academic Dishonesty policy
and students’ responsibility to complete their own work, FSO Support
is unable to help students complete their activities. FSO Support can
assist with the technical functionality of an application or software
being used to complete activities.
