Course description:
This course is an instructor guided online course.
Topics include: vocabulary, grammar, history, fingerspelling, numbers, terminology, and
Deaf culture.
The
learning and activities will take place electronically.
You will complete a set of quizzes based
on the online lessons at Lifeprint.com. You will do a research paper on an
ASL related topic. At the completion of the course you will be take a
comprehensive proctored receptive test and you will submit a
video-recorded signed presentation.
Course Materials:
The materials
are online at Lifeprint.com/lessons.
Streaming video files will demonstrate ASL vocabulary and sentences. You
will need to either know how to upload a video online or to submit a video
to your instructor on disk at the end of the program.
Grading:
Grades
will be based on performance on the quiz assignments, tests, and your
research paper according to the following criteria: 100-90% = A, 89 to 80% =
B, 79-70% = C, 69-60% = D, below 60% = E (fail).
To receive documentation you must get 70% or more on both the expressive
video project and the receptive final. That means if you cheat
your way through the online quizzes you will probably fail the expressive
video project and receptive final exam.
Assignments: Note: The videos for
these quizzes will be posted to the net. Just click on the "Quiz Link"
Below
Note: If you don't see the video, it might not have been posted yet. Feel
free to email Bill Vicars and remind him.
Research Paper:
●
Click here for
instructions on completing your "research paper"
►
Quizzes:
See your schedule for the link to your quizzes. The link to
each quiz will be available by the date posted in the schedule. Type
out your answers paste them in an email to your instructor by the due date.
Use the following subject line:
"*** PONDER
First-Name Last Name
Quiz X" (insert your name and the quiz number). Send yourself a
copy and your parent or guardian a copy. Keep your backup copies until the
end of the course in case your instructor's computer crashes or your email
gets lost in the net.
Video Project
(Expressive Final Exam)
You must earn a score of 70% or better on this test to pass this course.
Pick one sentence from each of lessons. You should end up with
15 sentences.
Copy the sentences to a new document and number them 1-15.
Then sit down in-front of a camcorder.
Introduce yourself. Tell me your name, where you are from, where you live,
your mom and dad's names, how many brothers and sisters you have and any
other "brief" info you'd like to share.
If I want you to sign anything else, I'll send you a script at least
two-weeks prior to the assignment being due.
Record yourself signing the
sentences from the list that you made. For example, sign the number and
then the sentence. You need only show me the sentence one time. Pay particular
attention to your "yes/no" and "WH-question" expressions for each sentence
(because I'll be looking for your facial expressions in addition to your
vocabulary and general fluency). After you get done showing me your sentences,
I want you to spell the sentence: "The quick brown fox jumped over the lazy
dogs." Spell it as quickly and clearly as you can. I need to be able
to see each letter clearly if I slow down or stop the video.
After you spell that sentence you are done recording and are ready to submit
your video.
Notes: If you stop once or maybe twice during the videotaping due
to some technical issue or whatever I won't be concerned. But stopping between
each question indicates a lack of preparation and smacks of not knowing the
material well enough to simply sign the sentences without having to look each
sentence up on the web or in the CD. Some students tape record themselves reading the sentences
out loud and then play back the recording while signing the sentences to the
video camera. That's okay. I've even seen students go so far as to write the sentences
on poster paper and stick them on the wall behind the camera so they can read
them while signing to the camera. That's okay, but a lot of work.
Other students just print out a paper with their sentences
on it and put it in front of them. They lean forward to read the sentence and
then look up at the camera and sign it.
Email me your script so I'll have an electronic copy to edit and
make notes on for your feedback.
You may submit your video in a variety of ways:
You may upload it to a video server such as Youtube.com.
You may submit this video on any of the
following: VHS-format full-size cassette, Mini-DV cassette, Video-CD (VCD), Digital Video Disk (DVD) using [DVD-R+, DVD-R-, or
DVD-ROM], or as a video file on either CD or DVD in Windows Media File format, Quicktime,
MPEG-1, MPEG 2, or Flash. (Do NOT send me any High 8 tapes or
compact-VHS.)
If your video isn't "good enough" as judged by me, I will give you instructions for improvement and require
you to do
the video again. This is regardless of
your other scores. To pass this class you must be able
to sign.
Receptive Final:
You must earn a score of 70% or better on
this test to pass this course. This is a proctored examination. When
you've completed the 15 quizzes (or when you've almost completed them),
send the instructor a request to take the "Receptive final."
Include the name and mailing address of a responsible adult who will
function as your proctor. Upon your request the instructor will
mail the testing disk to your proctor. The disk will contain a video
file of a person signing various sentences from
level 1.
You take
the test with the proctor in the room making sure you do not use any books,
websites, or other external material.
Insert the CD and it should start automatically after a few moments. If it
doesn't, navigate to the video file on the disk and double click on it. On the
video the instructor will sign a number of sentences to you. Write them down
(or type them) in either English or ASL gloss (just string the ASL signs
together). You may pause and rewind the video as many times as you would like.
If you miss a concept or change the meaning of the sentence you may miss the
whole sentence so practice hard and don't try to bluff your way through this
test.
The
sentences are based on the practice sheets in the lessons. It is important
for you to do the practice sheets throughout the course so you will be able to
do well on your receptive final. These sentences will be extremely similar to
the ones on the website and on the CDs.
When you get done, have your
local proctor email your answers to your instructor (BelindaGVicars@aol.com). In the email,
include your name and local school name along with your answers.
Also include your proctor's name, phone number and email address.
You may
take the test after you have turned in most of your quizzes. Your answers need to be turned in,
emailed or postmarked by the due date.
Note to Ponder High
School Students:
Your proctor will be a local Ponder High School teacher or administrator.
You will take the receptive test at school.
Notes:
As with any technology-based project, the ASLU / Lifeprint curriculum is
rapidly evolving and changing. This is a good thing, but it presents
some challenges and responsibilities for the students:
This
syllabus and any later email communication from the instructor supersede
whatever information you may find at the general ASLU website. Many
teachers and schools use the website. Access YOUR quizzes through the links
on YOUR syllabus. If you use some other link or stumble across some
other quiz it may not be the right one. If you are not sure, ask your
instructor.
Since this class is offered via the web and you can submit
your assignments via email--late submissions of quizzes and assignments may
receive zero credit. This is not punishment. It is simply a grading issue.
Excellent students plan ahead, get organized, keep track of assignments, and
turn things in on time (or early). Poor students wait until the last minute,
miss deadlines and then make excuses and ask for leniency. Excellent students
get "A's." Poor students get "D's" and "F's."
Prepare
ahead of time to have backup internet access in case your regular computer
crashes. If your computer is prone to crashing, save your work often and
submit it early. Dead computers are not an excuse for late work. If you are in
doubt as to whether your email has gone through, send a separate email with
the subject line:
"*** ASLU- Reply requested.
First Name, Last Name." Remember to keep a
backup copy of all submissions until the end of the course and your grade has
been received.
Legal matters:
This syllabus and the schedule are subject to change in the event of
extenuating circumstances. For persons physically attending class: If you are absent from class, it is your
responsibility to check on announcements made while you were absent. No
makeup tests without an obituary of a relative or a note from your medical
professional or school administrator. Turn cell phones to vibrate or
silent settings. Do not wear baseball caps during quizzes. No reading
newspapers in class or other distracting behavior. No videotaping the
lecture or bringing visitors or guests without permission. All students are
always expected to work independently on graded quizzes and/or assignments
unless specifically directed otherwise by the instructor. Assignments
turned in late for any reason may receive 0 credit. Penalties for cheating and
plagiarism may include receiving an F for a particular assignment, an F
for the course, or expulsion from the program or university. Upon identifying
themselves to the instructor and the university, students with
disabilities will receive reasonable accommodation for learning and
evaluation.
Pep
talk:
You can do this. I have near infinite patience. I love teaching and
explaining. If you have questions, ask in class or just email them to me
and I'll get back to you within 48 hours. If you think I've overlooked
your email, feel free to send your question again I won't feel
bothered--rather I'll be grateful for the communication. If there is
something I can do to make the class better for you please do suggest it.
This class may be one of your more challenging accomplishments but I know
if you work hard and put in the time you will succeed.
Notes: One last point. There is something I wish to give you advance
notice of. Typically students, (even high achievers), do not do as well on the
expressive portion of the exam in a "distance education" course as they do on the receptive. Many students who
get an "A" on the receptive end up getting a "C" on the expressive because
signing without having had someone to practice with is like swimming without
water. (Which often results in "A" caliber students receiving a combined
grade of a "B.") So, please understand that I will grade you according to college
standards as if you were one of my in-class students who had been attending
class twice a week for three months. To pass an expressive test
in an asynchronous (you and I are in different places at different times)
distance education environment will require a serious effort. I don't wish to
discourage you, quite the opposite. But I do want you to be informed ahead of
time that you will need to work hard to do well.
Hello Ponder Students!