ViEWS (Visual Expression, Writing and Speaking)
What is ViEWS?
ViEWS is a university-wide requirement that all departments address oral, written and visual communication learning outcomes in their majors. Virginia Tech is committed to ensuring that every graduate is able to effectively use a variety of spoken, visual and written communication strategies that are necessary for success as a student, for employment, and for life as a responsible citizen.
Each department determines how its majors will meet this requirement. Individual courses need not be designated "ViEWS", nor is it necessary that they appear on the CLE section of the major checksheet. When a student completes a degree in a department that has an approved ViEWS plan, he or she has met the ViEWS requirement, and that degree should assure competency in oral, written, and visual communication.
Who is Responsible for the ViEWS Program?
The policy memorandum that created the ViEWS program also placed the responsibility for implementing and managing the program within the Provost's Office. The Vice President and Dean for Undergraduate Education, Dr. Daniel Wubah, has subsequently assigned this responsibility to the Center for Instructional Development and Educational Research (CIDER).
Organization of the ViEWS Program
The organization and management of the ViEWS program involves three central components: ViEWS Plan Creation and Revision, ViEWS Pedagogical Support, and ViEWS Assessment and Evaluation.
ViEWS Plan Creation and Revision: A structured process and online utility is being developed within CIDER to allow departments to create and/or revise their ViEWS plans. This utility will include ViEWS plan criteria, digital warehousing of plans, and a plan certification processes.
ViEWS Pedagogical Support: The ViEWS plan is being supported by CIDER through the creation of the Instructional Communications Development Program (ICDP). The ICDP provides university-wide and departmentally-based workshops, access to communication consultants, and a Faculty CxC Summer Institute.
ViEWS Assessment and Evaluation: The assessment of departmentally-based ViEWS implementation is being integrated into the Academic Program Review (APR) that each department must engage every 5/7 years.