General Education Writing Across the Curriculum Retreat Session III: Mission and Objectives for Gen Ed / WAC Program October 6, 2006

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General EducationWriting Across the Curriculum
RetreatSession IIIMission and Objectives for
Gen Ed / WAC ProgramOctober 6, 2006
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Goals for the Session

• Review terms/definitions for WAC Programs
• Examine sample objectives/outcomes
• Construct possible objectives/outcomes for UNLV
• Examine sample mission statements
• Construct possible mission statements for UNLV
• Discuss differences between WAC and CAC

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Starting Points

• Assumptions about writing
• Define WID
• Define WAC
• Define CAC

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Points to Keep in Mind

• University, Department, Program, Course
• Horizontal AND Vertical
• 100-level, 200-level, 300-level, 400-level
• Coherence AND Consistency
• Blooms Taxonomy

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Questions to Keep in Mind

• What are expectations for writing ability at the
  100 level? At the 200 level? At the 300 level? At
  the 400 level? In your program? In your
  department? In your college? At the university?
• How might we translate these expectations into
  objectives/goals for WAC and then into outcomes
  for course, program, department?

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Defining Objectives

• Broad goals that describe what the learners are
  supposed to know or be able to do
• Stated in general terms
• May be based upon
• Needs of the learner
• Needs of academic community or unit
• Needs of society
• Normally not observed or measured
• Supported and defined by one or more specific
  outcomes

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Defining Outcomes

• Name specific competencies to be achieved
• Expressed in key verbs
• Used to communicate expectations
• Provide a framework for learners
• Focused on observable and assessable actions or
  behaviors
• Employed in assessing educational practices

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Defining Missions

• Brief statement of a units fundamental purpose
  and/or philosophy
• Articulates purpose for both unit (internal) and
  public (external)
• Ensures everyone is on the same page
• Serves as basis for future planning

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Examining Sample Objectives

• Review sample objectives and goals from
• University of Arizona
• University of Pittsburgh
• Clemson University
• Louisiana State University
• As a small group
• Name key features present
• Analyze features for application at UNLV
• Offer best examples

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Sample Outcomes

• Review sample outcomes from
• University of Nevada, Las Vegas
• Wright State University
• As a small group
• Name key features present
• Analyze features for application at UNLV
• Offer best examples

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Constructing Objectives and Outcomes

• Individual Freewrite
• Describe WAC program objectives that might work
  most effectively with outcomes you might name for
  your specific unit (program/course)
• As a small group
• Compare individual insights
• Construct 2-3 WAC objectives for UNLV that might
  operate effectively at the university level (see
  Verbs list for possible key words)

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Examining Sample Mission Statements

• Review sample mission statements from
• University of Missouri Columbia
• North Carolina State
• University of Arizona
• As a small group
• Name key features present
• Analyze features for application at UNLV
• Offer best examples

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Constructing a Mission Statement

• As a small group
• Based on your WAC objectives, construct a mission
  statement that accurately reflects a philosophy
  important for UNLVs academic environment
• Share with large group and justify your statement