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"Newsworthy" Interviews in American Sign Language


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Keywords: Computers, Movie Maker, Flip Video, ASL, foreign language
Subject(s): Foreign Language
Grades 9 through 12
NETS-S Standard:
  • Creativity and Innovation
  • Communication and Collaboration
  • Research and Information Fluency
  • Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making
  • Digital Citizenship
  • Technology Operations and Concepts
View Full Text of Standards
School: Splendora High School, Splendora, TX
Planned By: Diana Nielsen
Original Author: Diana Nielsen, Splendora
1. Upon entering class, students will be handed ASL prompts on laminated cards.

2. Students will randomly receive either a question or an answer using current vocabulary (and factoring in skill level). They will practice signing them for one minute with their table partner as a warm-up.

3. After taking attendance and completing the warm-up, students will be instructed to mix and mingle with one another to find the question that pairs with their answer(s).

Ex. -- Q: What happened at last week's football game?
A: The Eagles won the game!
A: Many people came to see the game.

4. Students will sit down in their matched groups and, with one Flip camera, record each other signing in ASL the questions and answers.

5. After all reporters have interviewed their subjects, the Flips will be taken up and redistributed on Day 2 at random. (So another group gets to see their peers signing.)

6. Day 2, in the computer lab, students will take the Flips and upload and edit their video clips to make a news segment.

7. They will work to interpret the ASL into an English transcript, or captions, on the video. They will peer-review the signing of their classmates and use a rubric to give feedback.

8. The class will view the completed news segments on Day 3, providing voice interpreting in turns for participation credit.

We will use the videos to review any signs the students didn't recognize and prepare for a quiz on the vocabulary.
Comments
Previously our high school only had Spanish as a foreign language option. Our ASL program is growing rapidly due to innovative ways to help students who have struggled with Spanish in the past and those who have an interest in learning more about ASL and interacting with Deaf individuals. Since ASL is a visual/kinesthetic language, I am constantly thinking of ways to increase the use of technology to practice and assess the students.
Cross-Curriculum Ideas
We could easily share this assignment with Computer Tech, Theatre, Speech, Social Studies and even English classes. Their students could collaborate with ours to add their expertise to the videos. Other teachers can use the videos to introduce the issue of equal access for individuals with disabilities.
Follow-Up
In the past, we have Skyped with students from other ASL programs around the nation. We would send our video newscasts to them and have them enjoy and critique them. Also, at the end of the year, we can use our video record for the students to see how they have improved in their skills since they began, or from one level to the next.
Materials: Foreign Language, High, Flash/USB Drives, Mice, LCD Monitors, Headsets, Keyboards, Power, Video Tools, Projector Screens, Portable, Flip Video, Mobile Labs, Word Processor, Integrating Technology, Dyslexia