Class Guidelines

Welcome to American Sign Language I (ASL).  ASL is an incredibly complex, but beautiful language.  Unlike spoken languages, ASL uses the hands, body, and most importantly the face to communicate.  Learning ASL can be such a rewarding experience, and some of you may even decide to major in ASL or interpreting.  However, it takes a lot of work.

The course will consist of 16 modules, one for each week of the semester.  In the beginning, the workload may seem to be heavier than later in the semester.  That is to be expected, as the language is completely new to you early on.  Once you become more fluent, the material will seem less difficult.

Each individual module will open on Monday mornings at 12:01 am.  You will find the following:

Overview:                                Review of the week to come including lectures, assignments, discussions, quizzes.

Resources:                               Necessary Signing Naturally units, supplemental materials, DVDs, etc.

Instructor Guidance:               PowerPoints and Instructor videos for the weekly lesson

Discussion (not every week): Assignment to input and also respond to other students       

Video Assignments:                One or two video assignments due every week (be sure to have the Canvas Student app set up on your phone or computer.

Written Assignments:             One or two for the semester               

Quiz/Exam:                             The quiz, mid-term or final exam (opens Friday mornings at 12:01 am, due by

                                                 Sunday evening at 11:59 pm.  There is a time limit for the quizzes and exams.

                                                 Once you open the quiz/exam it must be completed.  Be sure you have set aside

                                                  enough time, without interruptions, to complete it.

Guidelines to accessing each module:

Once the module is available, I recommended you read and review the Overview, Resources, and all of the assignments for the week to understand what is expected.  I strongly suggest doing this on Monday so that you will be completely prepared for the week.

Most importantly, read ALL PowerPoint slides and watch the accompanying instructor videos.  A video is included with the PowerPoint, if at the top of the PowerPoint slide it reads (See video Blais).  The video may be opened at the same time as the PowerPoint presentation so both can be accessed together.

It is VERY IMPORTANT to view all PowerPoint slides and videos (when they accompany a slide) as early in the week as possible.  This will allow ample time to practice and remember the material from the week.  Normal in-class hours would be five.  Another 5-10 hours per week should be spent reviewing, studying, and practicing, for a total of 10-15 hours per week. 

ASL, like any language, takes a lot of practice.  Following these guidelines will make it much easier to succeed in this class.

*** Check canvas email daily for any updates and reminders.

*** Video assignments are graded with written and video feedback.  Be sure to review all feedback in order to become the best signer possible.