What are students learning about using their voice?
Students develop skills in:
These skills are developed in a 100-level oral communication course taught by the Communications Department. Read more about the 100-level oral communication outcomes.
We proudly offer multiple opportunities for students to gain oral communication skills:
- Public Speaking focuses on preparation, delivery, and analysis of types of speeches with emphasis on extemporaneous speaking.
- Voice and Diction introduces students to the analysis and practice of effective voice and articulation. Applications across various communication contexts, such as public communication, media, and social communication.
- Introduction to Interpersonal Communication emphasizes the fundamental communication skills necessary for the formation and maintenance of relationships.
General education courses as well as courses within the major give students additional opportunities to develop oral communication skills.
How do we know students are learning?
Faculty from the Communication Department were sent into randomly selected 100-level Communication courses to rate final student speeches. Raters serve as an external reviewer in this capacity to assess how well students met the learning outcomes. Raters use a rubric scale of excellent, above average, average, below average, and unacceptable.
A full description of the methodology and the rubric can be found on the Office of Institutional Effectiveness and Assessment's website.
Are Monarchs meeting our expectations?
We found that overall students are able to use appropriate language, organize their speech, and sufficiently develop the content of their speech. These three areas have the highest levels of performance. We also found that students struggled with verbal delivery of the speeches. Additionally, research scored lowest on the oral communication rubric.
With this information, faculty identified a few key areas that they would like to strengthen.
How are we helping students learn?
- Required research analysis in two speeches and directed students to appropriate resources for their research.
- Created an online repository of resources and a stewardship program for all adjunct faculty teaching 100 level oral communication courses.
- Standardized the syllabus, grading tools, and required assignments to promote consistency in the student experience and best practices in teaching.
We will reassess oral communication in 2022 to measure our impact. We continue to engage in efforts to improve student learning.
Developing oral communication skills...
The data presented provides a snapshot of student learning that will continue to be developed. Old Dominion University provides students with many curricular and co-curricular opportunities to build oral communication skills during their time as a Monarch.
... throughout their academic career
Questions? Contact the Office of Institutional Effectiveness & Assessment
Credits:
ODU Marketing and Communications