Language Reflection

The submitted final lesson plan for Session 5 contained many of the key elements of the best practices for developing effective online learning. Nonetheless, the development of the lesson plan integrated the learning discoveries based on the idea of applying it to a blended American Sign Language course. The lesson plan utilized the implementation of newly adopted Signing Naturally (Smith, Lentz, & Mikos, 2008) course curriculum, which I integrated into my proposed blended ASL 101 course. Using the knowledge of the importance of consistency, communication, and community the plan demonstrates a variety of online tools found within the Blackboard LMS that supports these three components for an efficient and effective online blended course. From

Yet again, his grandfather found him a high school, Germantown Friend's School (GFS) where he passed the entrance exam, the faculty at GFS were aware of Mark’s promising academic potential, but they were concerned about Mark’s deafness. He didn’t want to disappoint his grandfather so he decided to attend few classes. After that, it was convincing that Mark would be fine, but in reality, he wasn’t fine. He would have no clue about the discussions in the classroom, most of time he would just be in his own world because he wouldn’t know what’s happening around him. Mark thought that if he nods “yes” or says, “I don’t know” in most conversations, he would feel part of the group. Eventually, he got an interpreter in his classes, but even with an interpreter he would stay a few steps behind from the class. On the other hand, when other students saw the beauty of American Sign Language, they were mesmerized by it and some even went out of their way to learn it. Due to the lack of use of ASL, even Mark was sort of shocked that he was able to comprehend so much information through the communication of ASL. He stumbled through his years at GFS, but still graduated as the only deaf

“To the hearing world, the deaf community must seem like a secret society. Indeed, deafness is a culture every bit as distinctive as any an anthropologist might study.” (Walker 1986) Lou Ann Walker’s autobiographical book, “A Loss for Words” details the story of her childhood with two deaf parents. She is the oldest of three children, with two sisters who are named Kay Sue and Jan Lee. All of their names were chosen for ease of lipreading for her parents. As she is the eldest of the three, she begins to act as an interpreter, and does so; often dealing with store keepers, mechanics, and others who would not know American Sign Language, but who would still need to understand what her parents are saying. Lou Ann, as she grows up, realizes

English Comp 1 was an eye opening experience. The course was emotionally and physically draining, but I strongly believe it prepared me for Comp 2. Learning and improving are a few of the rewards I received through hard work and dedication during the course. Throughout English comp 1, I discovered my biggest weakness. I improved some of my various difficulties, and I achieved a rewarding high point.

On Saturday, September 26, 2015, I attended the Deaf Rave event at the Pittsburgh Association of the Deaf. The Greater Pittsburgh Community Center for the Deaf hosted the event and all of the proceeds went towards the GPCC Sportsman Club. The event was a very laid back, enjoyable occasion. I went to the event alone but I met up with a fellow classmate after arriving and there were also a few ASL1 students who arrived a bit later. Upon entering and paying the admission fee, I was given a glow-stick necklace and glow-stick bracelet to wear. Once inside, I saw that the Community Center had been decorated with black lights, strobe lights, some colorful balloons, and they were in the

When I watched my own video I realized a lot of things that I did well. One of thing,that

The summer of 2015, I went on a deaf camp titled T.I. Deaf Camp. Short for Teen Insitue Deaf Camp. Now because i’m hard of hearing but I stand out as a deaf person, friends came naturally, almost as if you was the hottest thing in Cosmo magazine. In other words myself and others was noticed instantly. Now also I realized that we had some kids who was only partially deaf (not full deaf) and they had hearing aids on and everything but also they didn’t know American Sign Language, it was so different and weird to work with them and during special events such as team basketball, volleyball or even during scavenger hunts etc. Both kids who could sign and couldn’t were very distance from each other. I didn’t know the answer to this conflict, so myself

In 1997, Mark Drolsbaugh printed a book titled Deaf Again. In this book, Mark narrates his life story from a hearing child to deaf adult and all of his hardships. Mark was a hearing child born to deaf parents. As he matured, his hearing began to worsen and soon he was labeled as deaf, communicating became harder. He would make mistakes in class and be ridiculed for it. He did not understand the reason for the ridicule and eventually stopped putting effort in his studies. A pediatrician told his parents to look into speech therapy and hearing aids for him. His parents felt he would be happier if he connected more with his hearing side than subject him to a life ruled by his disability. However, his parents were fluent in ASL and regularly communicated with each other by signing. His guardians felt being taught to sign would hinder his development. As he aged, he experienced a larger disconnect from the hearing world, resulting in an isolating feeling. Eventually Mark learned ASL and gradually let the Deaf culture become a bigger part of his life. As his involvement in the Deaf culture grew he found a comradery that he had never had before. Soon, he began to see the value that came from communication and relationships with others above all else.

For my second Deaf Community Contact, I chose to eat at Panjo’s on Sept. 18th during Deaf Chat. I arrived at 6:15pm with my daughter Aymiah, my best friend Ashley, and her sister Lola. We stood in line for about 45 mins before we saw the front door, and it was hot, but I enjoyed watching the conversations from outside the window. I spoke briefly with Michelle, whom I met at Cole Park at another event. I waved hello to her, and she responded with a nod, and a smile, but continued to move her way thru the crowd. I remained in line, and practiced the words I learned to sign in class with my two friends. It was a life-time before we entered the building, and I was starving, none the less we made our way into the cold air, and the terrific smell.

Although I still consider myself an introvert, my participation at camp allowed me to grow with the confidence and eagerness to meet new people. Prior to this experience, I wondered if my dedication was going to pay off because of my reservation around ASL. I am now positive I am making the right decisions and actions for my future. I actively pursue opportunities to spend as much time as possible participating in the Deaf community, and I am excited about my ability in getting to know many amazing individuals using sign

What have I learned in English 102? When I began this class, I had not taken a formal English class in over thirty years. I understood sentence structure and essay writing to a point. To elaborate my understanding was based on story telling rather than research and factual commentary. Of course, rhetorical review and research was foreign to me. I had a loose understanding but had never practiced or been in a position to apply these skills. Or at least that is what I thought. Since beginning this course, I have found it both challenging and enlightening. I feel that my skills have developed over the last few weeks and a greater understanding of what it takes to identify and understand complicated subjects has progressed. Not just that I can read difficult scholarly text, but that I can focus on what they are trying to say, their argument, and then develop my own counter argument in support of or against the authors statements. It is more than just saying I concur or I do not agree with you. It is stating how my point of view differs and supporting my statements logically and directly with facts, not just conjecture. Within the following paragraphs I will discuss, in more detail, the specific areas where I feel I have matured and how I intend to apply this new-found knowledge to my future writing as well as reading materials to assess their value.

Through all of the material I have studied preparing me for this ASL social event, one thing has been consistent, and that is that deaf people in the community will not judge you for your lack of skills but rather they will appreciate the effort that you are putting to communicate with them. I found this to be true when I went to ASL night at menchie’s and I observed how people were so willing to help out, not just members of the deaf community, but also members of the hearing community, everyone was more than willing to help each other. The atmosphere in this environment although intimidating at first, wasn’t freighting it was an opportunity for me to interact with a brand-new community filled with such supporting people.

This first semester at the University of Akron has flown by. I learned many new writing concepts that helped me become a better writer. English composition was a required class that I had to take in order to get my degree. Although this class was required I still wanted to take this class to become more knowledgeable about writing. Coming into English Composition I was worried about all of the papers and the workload that I would have to complete. I knew that I was going to have to write a lot more than I previously had in highschool, but I was unsure of just how much. The works that I decided to include in my portfolio comprise of my Literacy Narrative, Image Analysis Paper, and essay titled Mayas Hardships based on Maya’s experiences in I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings. I selected these works because I felt that they are the ones that require the most improvement to them. The papers i've chosen show how far I’ve came In English Composition.

“I never teach my pupils, I only attempt to provide the conditions under which they can learn”, a quote from Albert Einstein that resonates profoundly with my teaching philosophy. In optimizing the learning conditions, and thereby facilitating learners’ ongoing language attainment, whether teachers are aware of implementing timely, effective, and systematic interventions, I argue, plays an integral role. Even the seemingly inconspicuous marking codes may profoundly affect learners’ uptake rate. In brief, my research interest concerns the influence of corrective feedback on the advancement of second language learners’ productive skills.

I enjoyed having class being video taped rather that reading a book. The Latina culture is growing significantly. Georgia has a 9% Hispanic population from the census not count the undocumented Hispanics. The migrant trail is responsible for why in certain areas there is more Spanish speaking people in a area. There is more agriculture there will be more Hispanics. I never realized how many different ways you can be taught a language. In the special topics video learning a different language started with the translation method. The translation method focus on the number of words. The 1800s Latins, Greeks, and French focused more on the writing and reading of language rather than speaking. Along the same time the direct method was introduced but never officially caught on. Direct method has a close resemblance to the way we are taught today. It is more of call and response method. In the 60s a quick way for others that were in listed in the military to learn a language was the audio-lingual method with basically a fast pace mechanical set that was dialogue memorized. For those who have anxiety the suggestopedia might have been an option.it was more of a relaxed setting and that meant to relieve stress of learning a new language. Silent way is when a teacher doesn’t have very much involvement and let the learners in the class to lead the class with dialog. Total physical response sounded fun to me when explained in the video. It is very high active and give the learner a