ViEWS - Visual Expression, Writing and Speaking
- What does ViEWS stand for?
- What is ViEWS?
- When does ViEWS go into effect?
- How do I know what my department decided to do?
- Do students still need to fulfill the Writing Intensive (WI) requirement?
- Does ViEWS appear as a requirement on student checksheets?
- Who provides oversight for departmental compliance with the ViEWS resolution?
- What funding was provided to implement the ViEWS requirement?
- How can I learn about teaching oral, written and visual communication?
What does ViEWS stand for?
ViEWS is an acronym for Visual Expression, Writing and Speaking.
What is ViEWS?
ViEWS refers to university requirement that all departments address oral, written and visual communication learning outcomes in their majors.
In Spring 2004, the university passed a resolution that made important changes to the writing-intensive requirement. First, the writing-intensive requirement was transitioned to a spoken, visual and written communication requirement. Second, responsibility for this requirement moved from the University Core Curriculum to individual departments. Each department is now responsible for identifying communication outcomes, implementing instruction, and assessing learning. Assessment and reporting of these ViEWS-related outcomes will occur in the department’s learning outcomes assessment process.
When does ViEWS go into effect?
ViEWS went into effect for the class entering Fall 2005.
How do I know what my department decided to do?
Every department was required to submit a plan through its respective college to the Core Curriculum Committee. The plan reflects the department’s communication-related learning outcomes, instructional plan, and assessment process. All plans were evaluated [link to evaluation form], and either approved or sent back for revision. At this time, most departmental plans have been approved.
Do students still need to fulfill the Writing Intensive (WI) requirement?
That depends on the department’s ViEWS plan for addressing the communication learning outcomes. According to the resolution, “departments may decide to continue with the existing model (WI and Writing across the Major) because it best meets their disciplinary demands and student needs.” If the department’s plan entails the use of WI courses, then students in that department will need to take them. However, starting with the class entering Fall 2005, the Core Curriculum no longer requires all students to meet a WI requirement.
Does ViEWS appear as a requirement on student checksheets?
No. When a student completes a degree in a department, that degree should assure competency in oral, written, and visual communication. It is up to each department to determine what this learning entails, and where in the curriculum this learning will happen. Courses will not be designated “ViEWS” on Banner, nor will they appear on the Core Curriculum section of the checksheet.
Who provides oversight for departmental compliance with the ViEWS resolution?
According to the resolution, “reporting of student success will be accomplished via the state mandated, five-year cycle of the University’s departmental assessment reports.”
What funding was provided to implement the ViEWS requirement?
The resolution is resource-neutral. Therefore, in assessing the departmental plans, the Core Curriculum Committee required that departments arrange for any needed resources on their own. Plans that requested funds were not approved; the Core Curriculum Committee was provided with no funds to distribute.
How can I learn about teaching oral, written and visual communication?
Visit CEUT and UWP at www.ceut.vt.edu or at 231-6995. They offer resources, consultations, and workshops that can support you in creating meaningful communication learning experiences.