ASL: My Rookie Season Recap

Can you believe EDTC is coming to an end already? I know, I know, I am just as sad as you are fellow readers. Below, I wanted to highlight some of the learning that took place for me (so we can reminisce together one last time). Let’s do this in the most “hockey way” possible- if you remember, I am an Oilers fan after all. Without further adieu, let’s get on with … A play-by-play.

Week One: Laying the Groundwork for ASL

I started by choosing ASL to focus on learning that will benefit me and my students in my future classroom. 

Techniques Learned: The importance of setting S.M.A.R.T Goals and picking skills that will benefit my future students and create an inclusive classroom. 

Week Two: Exploring Pocket Sign

I started with the app “Pocket Sign” I tried to use this for a few minutes every day. 

Techniques Learned: I learned (or attempted to learn) the ASL alphabet. I appreciated this app because it showed how to sign each letter and allowed you to practice it on camera. I found this app to be a very solid choice in my ASL journey. 

Week Three: Exploring InterSign and Editing with Canva

I explored the InterSign app to expand my ASL skills and challenged myself by creating a video using Canva for the first time. (I also did a lot…and I mean a lot of experimenting this week). 

Techniques Learned: Practiced ASL word spelling and tested out a variety of new signs.  Learned (and really played around with) video editing basics in Canva. I also furthered my understanding of the SAMR Model this week!

Week Four: A Week of Honesty and Setbacks

This week didn’t go as planned..I practiced some ASL but fell behind due to personal reasons.

Techniques Learned: Continued review of ASL basics (ABCs and numbers up to 20). Tested the “ASL” app but found it limited in what it offered. One key takeaway this week was how important it is to be honest and transparent, I shared how I was behind because I wanted my peers to know it happens, and the importance of honesty on this. My peers lifted me up, supported me, and helped me push through. 

Week Five: Back to Basics with YouTube

I revisited the ASL alphabet to rebuild my foundation and boost my confidence using the “Learn How To Sign” YouTube channel.

Techniques Learned: Documented my ASL alphabet (decided to go back to build a better foundation before moving on)- did a lot better this time around and decided I had the skill down. Learned how to used video navigation tools on YouTube, figured out how to adjust video speed, and practiced built-in quizzes to test and celebrate my progress.

Week Six: TikTok as a Learning Tool

I challenged myself to use TikTok for learning (instead of mindless scrolling) I decided to pick an account and learn everything they had to offer. 

Techniques Learned: Practiced new signs (in short clips), explored ASL content on a “leisure app”, and had to learn self-control on this app.

Week Seven: Diving Into SignSchool

I explored the free SignSchool app this week to continue building on what I already knew about ASL

Techniques Learned: Explored “themed” vocabulary like school-related terms (as I said I am doing this for my future students and an inclusive classroom). Learned how to sign a full phrase “signing well but not fluent,” (was proud of this because typically I just learn one word at a time). 

Week Eight: ASL on Instagram
This week, I turned my Instagram scrolling habits into a teaching moment, which was a bit of a challenge I am not going to lie. 

Techniques Learned: Practiced fingerspelling through online games, this got my confidence up and I can’t lie was fun to do. I also learned balance and accountability while I was using a distracting app for learning. 

Week Nine: Sign ASL…A Pocket Dictionary

This week, I explored the Sign ASL app, which is an app that acts as a well… pocket dictionary. 

Techniques Learned: Again practiced basic “school-related vocabulary”, Despite the multiple videos, I learned many different ways/contexts to use certain signs. Worked on sign accuracy and continued trying to master previous signs. 

Week 10: ASL on Facebook

This week, I used yet another “social media” app to practice my ASL sign journey. 

Techniques Learned: I learned how important a learning community is. I took an idea from another teacher and decided to learn how to sign the months of the year. 

A Few More Key Pieces I Gathered Along The Way:

My Usage: The Deep Dark Truth

One thing I usually avoid doing is looking at the amount that I actually use technology in a day (and for good reason). One key takeaway from this course has been being transparent about how much I use technology and how to do so safely, respectfully, and how to teach future students to do so. 

Technology: Changes In Our World 

Reflecting on how far our generation has come in the world of technology is, for many (myself included), still hard to fully wrap our heads around. This week, I took some time to think about how important it is to educate our students on how to use the internet…and how much I wish I had learned more about online safety while I was growing up

Digital Citizenship:

One thing that I found very interesting in this course was looking at the nine elements of digital citizenship (something I had not heard of until we discussed it this semester). I learned a lot about what to teach students (especially when it comes to their “online lives”). 

Vigilantism:

A big part of being online is knowing the risks. One word that kept coming up in this course was “vigilantism”…something that can happen to anyone. But hate doesn’t make things right; education around harmful comments does, this is something I keep in mind always. 

Fake News: Teach the Clues

Another thing we touched on is the way that fake news can spread like wildfire. If we do not give our students (or really everyone) online the tools to combat this issue, the world becomes a lot more dangerous. 

Student’s and Coding

One fun thing we did in class was learn about how coding can benefit our students, it promotes problem-solving and creative thinking. I got the chance to play around with the program “scratch”, this is something I hope to use in my future classroom. 

SUNO: Sing it Up

Another thing I really enjoyed experimenting with was the creative side of AI, SUNO is a “songwriting” tool, you give it a prompt, pick the style of music, and this program writes you a song with lyrics and a tune. This is another tool I plan to use in my classroom in the future. 

Closing Out The Season:

This journey has taught me a lot, not just about ASL, but about the importance of having a strong classroom community. I have learned so much online (independently), but also from my peers. It is always harder to build strong connections online, but having peer’s who supported me throughout this journey has positively benefited my learning and understanding of educational technology. Thank you one final time to everyone who has contributed or followed along throughout this journey.