COMMUNICATION
Course:
Date:
Department:
Chair:
Curriculum Goals: The purpose of the Communication requirement is to prepare students to effectively communicate information, thoughts and
viewpoints through oral, written and graphic forms of expression. (2015-16 UTM Catalog) Course(s) satisfying this category must meet six (6) or
more of the learning outcomes.
Student Learning
Outcome
1. Students will evaluate
oral and/or written
expression by listening
and reading critically
for elements that reflect
situation, audience,
purpose, and diverse
points of view.
2. Students will develop
major points in a logical
convincing manner in
support of a central
idea.
Assessment
Cycle
Assessment(s)
Benchmark(s)
Data Results
Decision/Improvement
Made
3. Students will
demonstrate writing
and/or speaking skills
from process to product.
4. Students will organize
basic information
gathered from multiple
sources.
5. Students will develop
written and/or oral
presentations employing
correct diction, syntax,
usage, grammar and
mechanics.
6. Students will
distinguish among the
appropriate use of
opinions, facts and
inferences in evidence,
analysis or persuasive
strategy.
7. Students will use
graphic support to
present information
effectively.
Instructions:
 Assessment Cycle: Indicate when and how often this student learning outcome will be assessed in this course. Examples:
Every semester; Fall semesters; Spring semesters; Fall of odd-numbered years; Fall of even-numbered years; Spring of oddnumbered years; Spring of even-numbered years. If the student learning outcome is not assessed in this course, enter N/A and
do not address the rest of the blanks for this outcome.

Assessment: Indicate the assessment used to assess student achievement of this student learning outcome. Examples:
Designated questions on a particular exam or on the final; particular homework assignments; particular student presentations;
etc. Be as specific as possible.

Benchmark: Faculty in the department should set the benchmark for student achievement for each student learning outcome.
Examples: “80% of students enrolled in this course will score 75% or better on this set of designated questions”; “75% of
students enrolled in this course will score B or higher on this written essay.”

Data results: Report the number of students who meet or exceed the benchmark, the total number of students assessed, and the
percentage. Example: “74 of 120 (61.7%) students met or exceeded the benchmark score on this assessment.”

Decision/Improvement made: Report any decisions/improvements made based on the data collected. Example: “The
benchmark of 75% was not met. Faculty have developed materials to address [topic] to be used in subsequent courses in order
to ensure that students can [learning outcome].”
All general education courses should assess all student learning outcomes at least once every two years. Assessment should occur
every semester; however, not all student learning outcomes must be assessed every semester. Faculty may decide how often and on
what cycle the assessment of each student learning outcome occurs.