ASL Learning Journey

Welcome to my second week of learning ASL!

 I’m excited to share everything I’ve learned. This week, I not only expanded my ASL knowledge but also explored a new way to create interactive videos.

 

Using the InterSign App

In the YouTube video linked below, you’ll see the ASL learning app I used this week: InterSign. I found it easy to use and great for practicing on the go. The app offers a variety of features that support learning, including:

• Lesson Previews: Each lesson starts with an overview of what you need to know or review to be successful.

 

• Clickable Review Options: If you’re unsure about a required skill, you can click on it to either learn it for the first time or refresh your memory before starting the lesson.

 

• Sign Recognition Practice: The app displays different signs, and you must identify the correct letter (helping reinforce learning and recall).

 

• Word Spelling Challenges: Words are signed in ASL, and you must recognize what letters are being signed, and then click the correct letters to form a word. 

 

• Built-in Dictionary: On the left side, there’s a visual dictionary where you can click any word to see how it’s signed.

 

• Organized Categories: The app sorts signs into themes (e.g., food, emotions, colors). Once you select a category, you see all related words and how to sign them.

While I really enjoyed using InterSign, one limitation stood out that I wanted to mention,  lessons are unlocked in a set order. For example, if I wanted to learn how to sign colors and adjectives before finishing the alphabet unit, the app wouldn’t allow it. While I understand why learning the ABCs first is beneficial, I personally prefer apps that let me explore topics in my own order.

Exploring Canva for Video Editing

This week, I also challenged myself to create a video using Canva instead of my usual choice, iMovie. At first, I felt overwhelmed by learning how to use a new tool while continuing my ASL journey and blogging about it. However, once I got started, I found Canva to be well-organized and beginner-friendly (which I was definitely excited about). 

Key Features of Canva

There are many great features about Canva, but one that I really appreciated (as I just mentioned above) was the fact that everything is well organized. Below, I will share how Canva puts functions into categories on the left hand side of the user “menu”. 

• Timeline Bar: A timeline bar at the bottom, similar to iMovie, allows for easy control of slide durations.

 

• Designs: Under the “Designs” category, there are pre-made templates to help with video creation and engagement.

 

• Elements: The “Elements” tab allows you to add stickers, photos, GIFs, and even pre-made videos to enhance your content (these are mostly stock video’s but still add to the content in your video). 

 

• Text: In the “Text” category, you can insert different-sized text boxes, customize fonts, colors, and sizes, and even animate how the text appears on the screen (as seen in my YouTube video—something I utilize a lot!).

 

• Uploads: The “Uploads” category lets you drag and drop photos or videos, which Canva will then allow you to add into your video or slideshow.

 

• Apps: The “Apps” section includes various tools, such as AI voiceover (which I also tried) and countless other fun features I didn’t get a chance to explore this time around.

Canva Tips and Tricks

Though I don’t consider myself a Canva expert by any means, I do want to share some tips and tricks I picked up along the way to make life a whole lot easier.

• Tip #1: Don’t be afraid to click on everything! Before I even started making my video and editing, I opened every category I mentioned in this blog. Getting familiar with where everything is and what it does helps a lot.

 

• Tip #2: Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. As teachers, we constantly remind students that mistakes are part of learning—so be patient with yourself and give yourself that same grace.

 

• Tip #3: Use, use, use the undo button! It’s right at the top of the page, and trust me, I made countless mistakes during this process. That button and I became best friends by the end of my project.

 

• Tip #4: Take advantage of TikTok and YouTube tutorials. If you’re a visual learner like me, seeing examples can make navigating Canva much easier.

 

• Tip #5: Be open to trying new tools and features you wouldn’t typically use when making videos. You might surprise yourself with what you can create!

 

• Tip #6: Use Canva’s AI Assistant. I asked that little robot so many questions—no shame in that! It’s a great tool when you need quick guidance.

I hope you give this program a try! I really enjoyed learning how to use it, and I think it’s worth experimenting with.

Final Thoughts On Canva 

Although there was a learning curve, I became more comfortable with Canva as I experimented with its tools. Once I got the hang of it, my editing process improved and everything not only became easier, but I got faster at using the program. 

Canva would be a great tool in the classroom because of its engaging and interactive features. Instead of just clicking through a basic presentation, students can see you use fun visuals, interesting slides, and animations to make content more engaging (you can even insert shapes, charts, and other helpful tools right into the video to make it school friendly). This free programnot only be great as teachers, but  could also be a fantastic way for students to create videos showcasing their learning.

I had a great time exploring Canva’s Apps section and discovering how many tools it offers. I’m excited to keep experimenting with it and hopefully allowing students to do the same! Let me know what you think, and be sure to check out my video below!

 

The SAMR Model 

Before I close out my blog post for the week, I want to talk about ways you could use our newfound video editor tool “Canva” according to the SAMR Model.

If you do not know what this model is, it is basically a way of looking at how technology is used in learning. The “S” stands for Substitution, this looks like using technology to replace what you would do with paper and a pen. The “A” stands for Augmentation, this is when technology makes the task easier or better. The “M” stands for Modification, this is when the task is changed because of technology, making it more interactive. Lastly, the “R” stands for Redefinition, this happens when technology is helping you do something that was not possible before with just paper. 

The SAMR Model and Canva

Substitution

 Use Canva to create a digital version of something you’d normally do on paper, like a poster or slideshow. (Instead of drawing by hand, you create a digital poster using Canva’s design tools). 

Augmentation

 Add more features to your project to make it better.  (Use Canva’s templates, animations, or AI voiceovers to make your presentation more engaging). 

Modification

 Change the task to make it more interactive (Instead of a regular poster that you might create before substitution, create an animated presentation or video with stickers, GIFs, and voiceovers…just like I show in my YouTube video). 

 Redefinition

 Use Canva to do something new that wasn’t possible before. (Share your work online, create a video essay, or put your project in a blog, just like I did for this assignment!!). 

Now that we have discussed my journey for the week, I will leave you with a photo to show the SAMR model visually, aswell as a video to virtually show my learning, see you later…

same time next week? 🙂