Week One Discussion One

Investigate: Modules: SS Specific Content Areas.

Find: Your Content Area Module

Highlight: What you gained by viewing this module.

Respond to others on the board within the same Content Area and compare highlights.

View other content area highlights and compare once again. How are they similar? Different?

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My Content Area Module: Languages Other Than English (LOTE)

Highlight: It is interesting that this first module (module 3) heavily stresses Comprehensible Input and instruction being in the target language (though the term "always" is not really practical) - a very TPRS-style idea. However, just like with TPRS, most LOTE information assumes that all languages are spoken/written and ASL is just thrown by the way-side, thus SO MUCH material and information does not or cannot apply to ASL. That said, we ASL teachers have learned how to ignore being ignored and focus on how we can make the information given work for us, when it actually can. This fact has made us collaborate often, which benefits us probably more than most.

I also like that module 3 talks about the importance of communication games. This is something I do ALL the time with my students (multiple times a week) because it not only gets and keeps them engaged, they learn a TON and are communicating in the target language. This is especially helpful for ASL because in ASL, there is no writing, reading, songs, etc., so games are a must!

I liked that Module 4 stressed the importance of rubrics, because even though rubrics in ASL are extremely difficult to create (so much has to change, depending on what is being assessed), once they ARE made, they are very important for assessing students. It really helps them understand the specific expectations and objectives we have for them.

[No others on this board will have the same Content Area, of course (I'm always alone, haha), but I will respond to others anyway - especially those who have more "elective-like" course areas (art, music, etc.).]

Other internet info: The following site has some EXCELLENT modules, specifically on ASL (and not just LOTE in general): http://www.gallaudet.edu/center-for-bilingual-teaching-and-learning/academic-asl/academic-asl-modules.html

They are very similar to these modules in the fact that they discuss the importance of modeling, rubrics, communication in the target language, student engagement, etc. Like these other modules, they understand the importance of these teaching strategies and the environment you provide for your students. These online modules are very different from the ones provided in the course, not only because they are ASL-specific and not spoken language-specific, but because they breakdown the information very specifically and provide numerous examples to support the information. It's all about organization and coherence and presentation and application, all very important points when working in an ASL classroom. It takes what the other modules have and expands it and molds it to fit ASL like a glove.