My Learning Plan
Learner Name: Eli Meisel | Semester: Spring 2020 |
Language: American Sign Language | Course: SDLC 105 + 110 |
Where are you now? What can you do? What do you know?
Use the Levels of Competence document and the LinguaFolio® checklists to assess your current abilities in your language. For more information, see the SDLAP Wiki.
Interpersonal Communication
- Beginning 0
I have no ASL Experience
Interpretive Listening
- Beginning 0
I have no ASL Experience
Interpretive Reading
-Beginning 0
I have no ASL Experience
Presentational Speaking
- Beginning 0
I have no ASL Experience
Presentational Writing
- Beginning 0
I have no ASL Experience
What is your ultimate goal? What is your goal for this semester?
What do you want to be able to do with this language at the end of this semester and in the future?
My ultimate goal is to be able to effectively communicate with deaf patients I encounter during medical emergencies as an EMT and to be able to obtain information regarding their symptoms, allergies, medications, past medical history, and events proceeding the incident.
What tasks will you complete and what activities will you do this semester to meet your goals? How will you document and evaluate your progress?
Novice learners should consult the ‘Language Tasks’ page of the SDLAP Wiki and incorporate the required tasks in their learning. Be as specific as possible when planning activities, e.g., “I will watch YouTube videos to learn how to talk about the family.” or “I will consult a grammar text to learn about possessives.” Make sure you include some tasks that are relevant to your interests, e.g., “I will learn to understand soccer commentary.” or “I will learn to talk about the stock market.” Culture and language are, of course, inseparable. It is expected that all your language will be culturally appropriate and that every task will contribute to your cultural competence.
Task 1 | Gain a better understanding of the ASL alphabet |
Type of Task | ___ Interpersonal Communication ___ Presentational Speaking |
What do I need to learn to complete this task? (goal) | -To accomplish such a task, I must meet with my language partner twice a week and watch alphabet reading tutorials. With my language partner, we will practice reading each other’s spelled signs and practice spelling out words. |
How will I learn? (learning activities and resources) | -YouTube offers great learning resources for an individual to follow-along, while https://www.italki.com/ offers incredible signing practice opportunities. Additional websites such as https://asl.ms/ will be used to further improve my fingerspelling. |
How will I document what I have learned? (artifacts) | -To document what I have learned appears to be one of the most challenging aspects of ASL. Because the language is movement-based, physical/written records will not work, but video logs of the sign I have learned will. I will make a weekly list of all the signs I learn that week along with a video log that I will upload to https://richmond.app.box.com/folder/0 |
How well can I accomplish this task? (self-assessment) | -This task must be accomplished and, I believe, will be easy to do so as it is a vital component to further my understanding of the language. Being able to spell words out and read spelled out words is a necessary skill for this language. |
Task 2 | Introducing myself (my name, where I am from, what I am studying, etc) |
Type of Task | ___ Interpersonal Communication ___ Presentational Speaking |
What do I need to learn to complete this task? (goal) | I must meet with my language instructor as well as practice new signs outside of class time. With my language instructor, we will practice the use of complicated and difficult signs that I have trouble understanding on my own. However, repeating similar conversations revolving around personal questions will help build this specific terminology. |
How will I learn? (learning activities and resources) | Websites such as YouTube and http://www.lifeprint.com/asl101/pages-layout/concepts.htm both offer wonderful instruction to further progress my language journey. My language instructor has also provided with an ASL beginner's book titled “Learn Sign Language in a Hurry” by Irene Duke. |
How will I document what I have learned? (artifacts) | -To document what I have learned appears to be one of the most challenging aspects of ASL. Because the language is movement-based, physical/written records will not work, but video logs of the sign I have learned will. I will make a weekly list of all the signs I learn that week along with a video log that I will upload to https://richmond.app.box.com/folder/0 |
How well can I accomplish this task? (self-assessment) | This task can be accomplished as I am passionate about learning this language and it does not feel like work. In addition, after a single course with my language instructor, I was able to accomplish so much and already have started to successfully accomplish this task. |
Task 3 | Learn Anatomy Terminology in ASL |
Type of Task | ___ Interpersonal Communication ___ Presentational Speaking |
What do I need to learn to complete this task? (goal) | I need recourses that have the ability to explain the signs associated with different human body parts such as the liver, legs, and arms. |
How will I learn? (learning activities and resources) | My language partner will have the opportunity to inform me of the designated signs. However, apps such as “SignSchool” and “The ASL App” contain dictionaries that I may refer to. In additional the pdf file https://www.cdss.ca.gov/cdssweb/entres/forms/English/pub391.pdf Introduces some medical ASL terminology. |
How will I document what I have learned? (artifacts) | -To document what I have learned appears to be one of the most challenging aspects of ASL. Because the language is movement-based, physical/written records will not work, but video logs of the sign I have learned will. I will make a weekly list of all the signs I learn that week along with a video log that I will upload to https://richmond.app.box.com/folder/0 |
How well can I accomplish this task? (self-assessment) | This task can easily be accomplished as the information is based upon vocabulary memorization. The actual concepts should not be hard, just the memorizing of the sings may take some time. |
Task 4 | Identifying and talking about family members (names, relationships, professions, something interesting) |
Type of Task | ___ Interpersonal Communication ___ Presentational Speaking |
What do I need to learn to complete this task? (goal) | I need to practice my ASL both inside and outside the classroom, trying to incorporate its’ usage into my everyday life. So, besides attending all the scheduled classes I have with my learning instructor, I should also sign words that I know when speaking in daily conversation. |
How will I learn? (learning activities and resources) | Websites such as YouTube and http://www.lifeprint.com/asl101/pages-layout/concepts.htm both offer wonderful instruction to further progress my language journey. My language instructor has also provided with an ASL beginner's book titled “Learn Sign Language in a Hurry” by Irene Duke. |
How will I document what I have learned? (artifacts) | -To document what I have learned appears to be one of the most challenging aspects of ASL. Because the language is movement-based, physical/written records will not work, but video logs of the sign I have learned will. I will make a weekly list of all the signs I learn that week along with a video log that I will upload to https://richmond.app.box.com/folder/0 |
How well can I accomplish this task? (self-assessment) | I believe I will be able to easily accomplish this task with my commitment to the language both inside, and outside the classroom. Terminology revolving around this subject can be incorporated. |
Task 5 | Learn the most common symptoms and illnesses of an individual. |
Type of Task | ___ Interpersonal Communication ___ Presentational Speaking |
What do I need to learn to complete this task? (goal) | I need recourses that have the ability to explain the signs associated with different, but common symptoms and illnesses. |
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How will I learn? (learning activities and resources) | My language partner will have the opportunity to inform me of the designated signs. However, apps such as “SignSchool” and “The ASL App” contain dictionaries that I may refer to. In addition, the website https://www.medicalasl.com/ contains videos of medical sign terminology. |
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How will I document what I have learned? (artifacts) | -To document what I have learned appears to be one of the most challenging aspects of ASL. Because the language is movement-based, physical/written records will not work, but video logs of the sign I have learned will. I will make a weekly list of all the signs I learn that week along with a video log that I will upload to https://richmond.app.box.com/folder/0 |
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How well can I accomplish this task? (self-assessment) | This task can easily be accomplished as the information relies on vocabulary memorization. The actual concepts should not be hard, just the memorizing of the sings may be slightly difficult. |
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| Task 6 | Enhance the quality of my facial expressions and strengthen the understanding of others. | ||
| Type of Task | ___ Interpersonal Communication ___ Presentational Speaking | ||
What do I need to learn to complete this task? (goal) | I need to practice with other ASL speakers and practice my facial expressions during different emotional states. |
How will I learn? (learning activities and resources) | I will practice my facial expression both alone in the mirror and with speakers of ASL either through italki.com and or through my language partner. |
How will I document what I have learned? (artifacts) | -To document what I have learned appears to be one of the most challenging aspects of ASL. Because the language is movement-based, physical/written records will not work, but video logs of the sign I have learned will. I will make a weekly list of all the signs I learn that week along with a video log that I will upload to https://richmond.app.box.com/folder/0 |
How well can I accomplish this task? (self-assessment) | -This task must be accomplished and, I believe, will be slightly challenging to do. Expressing emotions in such an apparent way can make one feel vulnerable, but it is a vital component to further my understanding of the language. Being able to express my facial expression influences a word’s meaning and even tone. It is vital I learn this task. |
Task 7 | Enhancing my understanding of how to introduce past, present, and future tenses into the language or rather, the incorporation of time |
Type of Task | ___ Interpersonal Communication ___ Presentational Speaking |
What do I need to learn to complete this task? (goal) | I need access to an instructor/speaker of ASL who could communicate enough with me to teach me how to incorporate the concept of time. |
How will I learn? (learning activities and resources) | I will use my language partner as well as italki.com to gain a greater understanding of the information as well as YouTube videos. However, I feel like my greatest tool will be exposure to the language. The website below gives a quick description of the use of time in ASL. |
How will I document what I have learned? (artifacts) | I will continue to take weekly videos of myself signing the signs I learned that week. I can also write simple descriptions of how the signs should be performed. I will also describe, in words, the arrangement of time in a sentence. |
How well can I accomplish this task? (self-assessment) | I am unsure of how well I can accomplish this task as I do not know the difficulty of the concept of time in ASL; however, I am committed to understand and thus, I know I will be able to accomplish this task. |
Task 8 | Greetings / Farewells (formal/informal, for different times of day, etc.) |
Type of Task | ___ Interpersonal Communication ___ Presentational Speaking |
What do I need to learn to complete this task? (goal) | I need to practice speaking with other individuals who practice ASL and input additional hours outside of the classroom to expand my vocabulary. |
How will I learn? (learning activities and resources) | I will use online apps designated for ASL, YouTube, and my language instructors. I also have two Sign Language dictionaries that I may refer to. |
How will I document what I have learned? (artifacts) | -To document what I have learned appears to be one of the most challenging aspects of ASL. Because the language is movement-based, physical/written records will not work, but video logs of the sign I have learned will. I will make a weekly list of all the signs I learn that week along with a video log that I will upload to https://richmond.app.box.com/folder/0 |
How well can I accomplish this task? (self-assessment) | I believe this task will be fairly easy to accomplish as I will pick up many signs and phrases within my language class during this journey. |
Task 9 | To understand the structures to make requests, questions, and exclamations |
Type of Task | ___ Interpersonal Communication ___ Presentational Speaking |
What do I need to learn to complete this task? (goal) | I need to ask my instructor about how to differentiate between these three “tones” and continue to practice my communication skills. |
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How will I learn? (learning activities and resources) | I will continue to learn through my language classroom, italki.com, and YouTube for additional support. |
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How will I document what I have learned? (artifacts) | -To document what I have learned appears to be one of the most challenging aspects of ASL. Because the language is movement-based, physical/written records will not work, but video logs of the sign I have learned will. I will make a weekly list of all the signs I learn that week along with a video log that I will upload to https://richmond.app.box.com/folder/0 |
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How well can I accomplish this task? (self-assessment) | I believe this task will be manageable, but difficult to accomplish. I believe this task also requires me to be efficient in my ability to control and express facial expressions, which will take a bit of time to master. |
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| Task 10 | Learn to sign numbers and days | ||
| Type of Task | ___ Interpersonal Communication ___ Presentational Speaking | ||
What do I need to learn to complete this task? (goal) | I need instruction on how to properly sign numbers and days. |
How will I learn? (learning activities and resources) | I will continue to learn through my language classroom, italki.com, and YouTube for additional support. |
How will I document what I have learned? (artifacts) | To document what I have learned appears to be one of the most challenging aspects of ASL. Because the language is movement-based, physical/written records will not work, but video logs of the sign I have learned will. I will make a weekly list of all the signs I learn that week along with a video log that I will upload to https://richmond.app.box.com/folder/0 |
How well can I accomplish this task? (self-assessment) | I believe this task can be accomplished with hard work. I am unfamiliar with how the number system works in ASL, but I am confident I will be able to figure it out. |
In addition to posting your learning plan to the Ning, provide a brief commentary describing how you have organized your self-directed learning plan. What have you learned so far? Have you identified resources and textbooks to promote your task-based objectives? How will your studies allow you to investigate your target language and culture more deeply? What first prompted your interest, and motivated you to start learning? What feedback have you received from your classmates? Dr. Marsh-Soloway will provide written feedback.
Much of how I would like my SDLP to be structured mirrors that of a beginner's ASL course while also adding a medical terminology aspect to it. I hope to work in the medical field and use ASL as a tool to communicate with deaf patients and offer medical services within deaf communities. After just a single meeting with my language instructor, I am blown away by ASL and, now more than ever, investing in learning more. Besides my language instructor, I have several sing language textbooks, school-provided funds for italki.com/, and several apple store apps. I plan on recording the information I learn on my own phone, and then uploading said videos to my school's box folder. In addition to all o these resources, there are numerous videos online that provide instruction within specific fields of terminology or grammatical structure of ASL that if my own instructor does not cover, I feel confident I could find online. However, my instructor is deaf and as such, she has been a part of deaf and ASL culture her entire life. I am excited to ask her about her own experiences growing up in a soundless world. I still have yet to receive feedback from my peers and instructor, but I am eager to hear their thoughts and opinions.
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