Learning ASL- My Major Project
For our EC&I831 major learning project, I have decided to focus on learning American Sign Language (ASL). I feel as though this would be both a personal and professional skill to build as an educator. One of the main reasons I am choosing ASL for this learning project is because of an experience that I encountered in my very first year of teaching. I taught a student who used ASL and I wasn’t equipped with the skills to properly communicate or support him in the way I would have liked to. That experience has stayed with me and I am aware that building my own understanding of ASL could make me a better teacher for future students.
Another big reason for wanting to learn ASL is a personal reason that comes from home. My wife and I have an 8-month old daughter at home and we are wanting to work hard on learning and using ASL with her for early communication. Currently, I only know a small amount of basic signs such as “Mom”, “Dad”, and “more”. I would love to expand and learn many new signs so that I can actually use ASL in meaningful ways with her. One of my goals for this project is to create a video of everything that I have learned throughout the next upcoming few months so that my wife can play it for our daughter while I am away at work (similar to the very popular Ms. Rachel kid’s videos). I think this would not only help me practice, but also create a special resource to have with her for the rest of her childhood and life.
To achieve my goal of learning ASL and creating a video for my final project, I plan to use a variety of online platforms and resources, including several ASL and baby sign language apps, videos, and tutorials. My wife and baby are also attending weekly in-person Sing & Sign classes through the Stay ‘n’ Play Parenting Network Program that they will be sharing and teaching me as well. I plan to document my progress as I go and record all new signs that I learn each week, as well as reflect on what resources and learning platforms are most useful and effective, and what challenges I encounter.
I am looking forward to seeing how much I can learn over the next few months! Please feel free to give me any suggestions or feedback on how to best approach this learning journey!
2 thoughts on “Learning ASL- My Major Project”
I’m really interested in following your learning, Jordan – this was actually one that I was considering when debating what I wanted to look into. I don’t know why, but this has always been a skill I’ve been interested in, but never had the time/inspiration to dedicate the time to. This would have been the perfect time, but I ended up going another route, with something I know I’ll continue using after the class. Major your experience and collection of resources will inspire me to do a little tangent learning, though! Best of luck.
My sister and brother-in-law used ASL when my nieces were born to give them a few key words to communicate, much like you and your wife have been doing with your daughter. The fact that babies can’t speak but can pick up something like ASL to be able to still communicate is truly astonishing and shows just how useful of a skill it will be to have.
I was not familiar with Ms. Rachel’s videos but after a brief watch I think it’s the perfect goal for the project. It would be so wholesome to be able to provide a personal resource like that for your daughter. It’s a thoughtful gift she’s sure to cherish throughout her life.