Wow, I can’t believe it is already the end of the semester! This has been an incredible learning journey and even though the semester is coming to a close, I plan on continuing learning ASL and hopefully engaging in some real classes, rather than me teaching myself online. I hope you enjoy my final reflection!
This inquiry project started from a point of thinking about accessibility and creating an inclusive learning environment for all learners. I have been wanting to learn ASL for some time now, so when this project was introduced, I knew exactly what I wanted to dive into. Now, I knew that this learning would be barely scratching the surface… but everyone has to start somewhere, right? From starting with the alphabet to learning more about deaf culture, I have covered a fair bit of ground this semester. Check out my video below for a little montage of my learning basic signs!
I think when I began this project, I envisioned myself simply watching Youtube videos and learning a lot of signs, but partway through I realized that I was missing something incredibly important-learning about deaf culture! It is true of so many things we learn about in teaching-everything needs context! So my question to myself was: who was I to be learning ASL without learning about deaf culture and from those who really are deaf? This led me down an awesome avenue of watching Ted Talks and following deaf You-tubers to listen about their experience. Even my Tik Tok algorithm has lots of ASL showing up!
Initially, I wanted to learn ASL to have some signs on-hand that I can use if I ever have a deaf student. Although I still believe this is true and something I want to pursue, I had this realization that the context and doing the research into deaf culture and the history of oppression is an even more important starting point to have a more inclusive mindset that can be translated into the classroom. If we do not have any sympathy for some of the struggles our diverse students have, then how are we ever supposed to help them feel included? I feel like this realization translated to more than just my inquiry, and helped to put things in perspective for how I want to be in my classroom and how I want to form relationships with my students.
Another thing I have been reflecting on is how deaf culture can be represented in the classroom so anyone who is deaf can feel welcome and included. I plan on tracking down an ASL alphabet chart to have in my classroom and trying to be mindful of how I deliver instruction and what accommodations to make for my students. Visuals are always a good go-to for students, and now I must keep in mind that having different methods for delivering instructions (verbal, visual, written etc.) is also important. During my research, I had a really fun time seeing how the deaf community is getting more representation in mainstream media. Audible was a great movie on Netflix that I reviewed in my last post, and CODA is a movie about deaf people WITH deaf actors that just won an Oscar! I remember my parents watching it and loving it-so I am going to need to find out which service it is offered on! I will. put the trailer below.
Ultimately, this inquiry project has been a great learning experience and I feel like I took away a lot from it! Not only that, but I plan on continuing to learn ASL (and hopefully enrolling in a class of some kind to hold me accountable for that goal)! I mean, how awesome would it be for me to have a deaf student in my class and be able to communicate freely with them? With this in mind, I am going to list some of my favourite Youtube channels, Ted Talks, and resources I have found that have enhanced my learning journey. Thank you again for this opportunity for learning and growth! Onto the next learning adventure… practicum!
Youtube Channels/Videos
Ted Talks
- Protecting and Interpreting Deaf Culture, Glenna Cooper
- Making Education Accessible to Deaf Children, Nyle MiMarco
THANK YOU!
Thank you for stopping by! Please feel free to leave a comment, I would love to hear your thoughts!
Ms. J
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.