I have successfully finished my first week of zoom classes and in summary, it is different. I have never been one who loves learning through technology, whether that be lectures or online module assignments. Nevertheless, we adapt.
It has been interesting to study sign language over applications like Facetime and Google Duo. Although I have a one-on-one meeting with Reba, twice a week, this form of teaching does not feel as personal or interactive to the same degree. Now, I understand that with the current situation, social distancing needs to be practiced, and, as such, this is the next best form of teaching. Our first lesson online together was good, but with the extended spring break, I was slow to recall many of the signs. However, by lesson 2, Reba and I were back to our old pace. Recently, the structure of each one of our lessons consists of a quick review of words we learned previously, learning around twenty new words during a session, and then formulating and processing example sentences with the new signs. So far, we have covered family, colors, modes of transportation, furniture, animals, common verbs, and a little bit of terminology revolving around this current pandemic, such as a virus.
Reba and I have been utilizing the recourses we have used in the past such as the “Signing Naturally textbook”, the “ American Sign Language Dictionary”, and the application “Sign School”. However, I have also recently started using a program/website called “udemy.com.” The website has thousands of courses, all related to different topics, including ASL. I had bought a beginner ASL course several years ago but never completed it, thus I recently went back to complete the course. This online teaching just provides me more opportunities to learn ASL through video-based methods, instead of a book. In addition to this, I have also recently been searching covers of songs in ASL on YouTube. These are really fun videos to watch as the performers add a chorographical component to their signing, making it a hybrid of dance and ASL. As a dancer, I thought this could be a fun and exciting new way to build my vocabulary, as well as get some exercise during the quarantine.
Reba and I still have yet to go over medical terminology; however, I am really excited and happy about the material we have covered thus far. Although my goal for the course was to be able to communicate with deaf individuals in an emergency medical situation, I have found a passion for sign language that I want to explore. I do not want my vocabulary to be limited to a medical emergency, but rather be included in my arsenal of signs. I love how kinesthetic sign is as a language and the ability to express the degree and intensity of a story through emotions and signs. It is beautiful how an entire non-verbal language has been constructed to convey the same meaning and information that a verbal language does have.
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