Oral Communication Core Competency Assessment
Fall 2005 and Spring 2006

To Critical Thinking Core Competency Assessment page

For the purpose of collecting data about undergraduate, upper-level courses that require one or both of the following:

• A paper in which students demonstrate critical thinking skills (for further information about what constitutes competent critical thinking, see student learning outcomes here).
• A formal oral presentation (for further information about what constitutes competent oral communication, see student learning outcomes here).

Reports of Results for Oral Communication

Frequently Asked Questions About the Assessment

Definition, Goal & Expected Outcomes for Oral Communication

Standards for Oral Communication

Description of Methodology Used to Gather Evidence of Competency

Oral Communication Scoring Rubric (pdf)

Complete Oral Communication Plan Submitted (pdf)

Definition of Oral Communication:
Oral communication is the effective interpretation, composition, and presentation of information, ideas, and values to a specific audience.

Goal for Undergraduates:
As part of the University’s stated purpose, members of the University community should “record, preserve, and disseminate the results of intellectual discovery and creative endeavors.” Oral communication, therefore, is essential to the intellectual life of the University, and graduates of the University of Virginia should be able to make clear and convincing oral presentations to individuals or groups, clarify information as needed, and facilitate an open exchange of ideas.

Expected Oral Communication Student Learning Outcomes:
Students graduating from the University of Virginia will demonstrate
oral communication skills and, in an extemporaneous presentation,
should be able to:

• Take responsibility for a significant topic with a clear
thesis and persuasive argument.
• Provide a clear structure and adequate transitions between ideas.
• Demonstrate a substantial understanding of the chosen topic and disciplinary knowledge or genre via research, credible sources, and supporting evidence.
• Demonstrate facility with topical and disciplinary knowledge via well-crafted, audience appropriate language.
• Adapt and balance the speaker’s purpose, agenda, and style with audience needs and the specific occasion.
• Demonstrate vocal qualities (pace, inflection, volume, enunciation) and physical behaviors (gestures, stance, eye-contact, movement) that augment content and maintain audience interest.
• Evince enthusiasm for the topic and occasion while projecting an engaging personal presence.
• Use visual aids, when appropriate, to provide useful illustrations or examples.

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Standards for Oral Communication:
The following standards have been established:

• 40% of undergraduates are expected to be highly competent (score of 4);
• 85% competent (score of 3 and above);
• 95% minimally competent (score of 2 and above).

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Description of Methodology Used to Gather Evidence of Oral Communication Competency:
The University will use one standard/rubric for all the undergraduate schools, but each assessment will be conducted at the school level. Sufficient sample sizes will be used to ensure that the results can be reported by school, and the individual assessments will be conducted by school faculty. Because each undergraduate school is responsible for designing its own curriculum, this method will allow schools to make the best use of the assessment results. School results will be aggregated to form an overall result for the University.
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Reports of Results for Oral Communication Core Competency Assessment

The development of the University of Virginia’s oral communication competency assessment plan was coordinated by the Office of Institutional Assessment and Studies. A faculty committee composed of representatives of the undergraduate schools wrote the definition, goal, learning outcomes and standards.