ASL: A Journey of Honesty and Growth -> Feb.9th
Being Transparent and Accountable
Hello everyone,
If I’m being fully transparent, this week did not go as planned for my learning journey. I was able to practice some ASL, but not as much as I had hoped due to some personal reasons. The point of this blog is to be open about my journey, and honestly, I feel a little bit behind.
I know there’s no set timeline or specific pace I need to follow, but for some reason, this skill feels complex at times (yes, it is learning a new language). Then again, I think that’s just part of any learning journey, facing challenges and finding ways to overcome them. I won’t give up on learning ASL, and my goal for next week is to get better and faster at my numbers up to 20 and my ABCs. After that, I hope to brush up on some basic phrases.
Learning isn’t linear, this is true for any journey. I had moments of feeling discouraged that I wasn’t catching on as quickly as I had hoped. I wanted to be honest about this in case anyone else is feeling the same way.
The App I Tested This Week
The app that I tried this week was called “ASL”-it seemed promising as that is the task that I am taking on for this journey!
High Hopes, But a Letdown
If I’m being honest, I had high hopes for this app. Every week on my ASL learning journey, I’ve enjoyed discovering new features in the apps I’ve tested. Unfortunately, this one didn’t live up to my expectations for a few key reasons. Let’s dive a bit deeper into these reasons below.
Limited Free Access
One of the biggest disappointments with this app is that it only offers one free lesson. As a university student relying on student loans, I have to be mindful of where I spend my money, especially on resources I’m unsure about. Paying upfront without knowing if I’ll actually enjoy the app just doesn’t sit well with me—especially when other free apps I’ve tried have offered a much better experience.
When you first download the app, you get access to just one module, called “Beginning/Introduction Module 1.” This module covers simple signs, and while I appreciated the way the content was presented (with visual examples and quick knowledge checks) you only get this single lesson to decide whether the app is worth paying for. Without the chance to explore more features, it’s hard to justify the cost.
Restrictive Learning Structure
This app follows a strict module-by-module format, where you have to unlock lessons in a set order. While I understand the logic behind building a strong foundation before moving on to more complex material, I personally prefer the freedom to choose what I learn next. When I get to make choices on where I start, and what I need to work on more before moving forward, I find myself to be more engaged in the learning process.
Locked Features Behind a Paywall
Aside from the lessons, every other feature in the app is locked behind a “paywall”. At the bottom of the screen, there are various icons that look promising, but clicking on them leads to a payment page before you can even preview what they offer. If I’m going to invest in an app, I’d at least like to explore its features before committing to a purchase. I understand that they may have good features within this app, but without seeing anything promising, I was very hesitant to continue.
Final Thoughts: Skip This One
If you or someone you know is looking for an ASL learning app, I’d recommend skipping this one. There are plenty of other free options I’ve tested that offer a much better experience. Check out my previous posts for recommendations!
5 thoughts on “ASL: A Journey of Honesty and Growth -> Feb.9th”
Hey Alea,
I appreciate your transparency throughout your journey. It is not always great timing; things in life pop up, and unfortunately, we fall behind. Do not feel discouraged, and do your best with the resources that are readily available to you, a student’s income is not for the weak, totally relatable. I wish there was more resources for university students that did not require payment or subscriptions.
I want to applaud you for your honesty in this weekly post! It takes vulnerability to admit areas we may be struggling in. I think it just shows you have such a caring soul as you mentioned that you wanted to share this information in case anyone else is feeling the same. Also, I think you are further ahead than you realize as you have shown to have made noteworthy insights into what you are learning about learning in general. This goes to show that learning is just as much about the process as it is the final product!
Also, in your reflection on why you didn’t like the app due to the “restrictive learning structure”. I believe that is important information to note as it can help to provide insight into the learning process of your future students. You can use this knowledge about your own learning style to help engage students.
Thank you so much for your kind words! I can tell you have such a caring soul for taking the time to share such thoughtful feedback. Your encouragement means a lot and is a great reminder that learning is a journey of growth and reflection.
You also made a great point about restrictive learning structures. Understanding my own learning style can help me create more engaging and flexible experiences for my future students.
Again, thank you for your support! Your thoughtful words have given me even more to reflect on.
I’m so sorry this was a tough learning week for you. I also struggled with my ASL journey this week and had a similar experience. The app I used was a struggle as well, and I found the lessons not as friendly as some of the other apps I’ve used. I’ll definitely skip this one. Keep your head up! We can do this!
Sorry to hear the app didn’t turn out as you hoped! I’ve had this experience with other apps and its the worst when they want to charge you for everything you need it for. I hope you can find some other more useful and free sources for next week!