Establishing Engagement in Your Online Courses

We are committed to your success, which is why we require the Flex Check-in, or FCI. This monthly activity allows you to stand back from what you are learning and frame it in ways that are meaningful to you.

Each month, for each course in which you are enrolled, you will respond to a single question with an open-ended answer.  Each question allows you to show your thoughtful engagement with the skills and knowledge in the course by answering the question from your own experience and perspective.  Your instructor will then respond to you.

Flex Check-In questions do not have right/wrong answers.  The best responses are thoughtful and personal; your instructor will try to address issues you have raised and fill in connections for you.

You are required to submit a Flex Check-In for each course in which you enroll. The specific month and day on which you add or complete your course will determine when a Flex Check-In must be submitted. Please refer to the table below to determine if and when a Flex Check-In is required.

If you do not submit your first FCI by the due date, you will be administratively dropped from that course. This is a federal regulatory requirement of online programs.

When to complete your Flex Check-In

As a UW Flexible Option student, you will want to become familiar with the Flex Check-In requirements.  Each month, you will be sent reminders to your campus email address and your Academic Success Coach will also share information, but it is up to you to know what is expected of you and when.

The Substance Use Disorders Counseling Certificate does not require the Flex Check-In at this time.

Your Subscription Period	FCI #1 Due	FCI #2 Due	FCI #3 Due
October 2020	10/13/2020	11/8/2020	12/8/2020
November 2020	11/17/2020	12/8/2020	1/8/2021
December 2020	12/15/2020	1/08/2021	2/8/2021
January 2021	1/12/2021	2/5/2021	3/5/2021
February 2021	2/16/2021	3/9/2021	4/9/2021

If I add a course after the 8th day of my subscription period, am I still required to complete a Flex Check-In for it?

You are required to submit an FCI for each course in which you enroll, with two exceptions. If you add a course late in your subscription period, or if you complete a course before the end of your subscription period, you may not be required to submit an FCI. Please see the table on the overview tab for specific dates.

I completed a course but earned a PR (in-progress mark). I am going to reenroll in the course to continue my work. Do I need to do another FCI if I already did one for this course?

Yes. FCIs must be completed for each course every time you enroll in it. Note: In some cases, the questions that you respond to in your second subscription period of enrollment in that same project may be identical to those you responded to previously. You must still respond again, even if the questions do not differ from before.

What happens if I don’t complete the FCI for a course?

If you do not complete an FCI for any course in which you were enrolled by the 8th day of the subscription period, you will be administratively dropped from that course. If it is the only course in which you are enrolled, you will be administratively withdrawn from UW Flexible Option. A$50 withdrawal fee will apply.

Should you wish to reenroll in the UW Flexible Option, you may do so in the following month, provided the $50 fee has been paid and you have discussed your plans with your ASC.

If you do not complete the 2nd or 3rd FCIs during your subscription period, no administrative action will be taken at this time. However, it is to your advantage and benefit that you complete all required activities; your faculty expect each required FCI to be submitted.

If I enroll in a course but don’t intend to start working on it right away, do I still need to complete a FCI?

Yes, you must complete a FCI for each course in which you are enrolled -even if you don’t intend to start working on the material right away- by the deadlines.

If I submit other required work or complete an assessment within the first 8 days of the subscription period before the FCI is due, do I still need to complete the FCI?

Yes. The Flex Check-In is a required activity, regardless of other submitted work.

If I am enrolled in several course and am dropped from one of my courses for not completing the FCI, may I enroll in a different course?

Yes, if you are using the All-You-Can-Learn Tuition Option. While you may not re-enroll in the course that was dropped, you are welcome to add a different course, so long as you still have enrollment in at least one other course, and have discussed your plans with your ASC.