Idea: Propaganda
Some ASL programs require
you to turn your voice off in class. I started teaching at a
school where the department "strongly" encourages "no voice" in the
classroom.
For a while I used the
normal coercion methods: threats, throwing objects, etc. But as time
passed I found better results with humor and propaganda.
prop·a·gan·da (prŏp'ə-gān'də)
noun
- The systematic propagation of a
doctrine or cause or of information reflecting the views
and interests of those advocating such a doctrine or
cause.
I find that small, quick,
daily reminders do wonders for getting students to turn off their
voices. I tend to post propaganda in my classes and or on my
overheads.
“Signing is to a rainbow
as
Voicing is to black and white.”
You have to be VERY careful in high school and
youth classes regarding "what" you put in your propaganda.
In my college classes, I have gotten away with such inflammatory
posts as:
Murderers,
rapists, child molesters, people who voice in class, wife
beaters…"
I don't recommend you use
such strong propaganda unless you have a VERY good relationship with
your students and they will forgive you for such a post.
Instead you can use simple, subtle propaganda such as:
Or try playing superstition:
Mary went
to ASL class and turned off her voice and was blessed with
good luck. She won the lottery, met the man of her
dreams, and found the perfect job!
Bob
used
his voice in his ASL class and was cursed with
bad
luck. His girlfriend left him, he lost his job, and
his dog died.
Or go for the "health angle"
Signing
burns extra calories and helps you get an "A" in class.
Voicing (in
class) bother's your neighbors and shows a lack of intellect.
Or play on the desire to be
liked by one's peers:
Signing is
cool.
Voicing is not cool.