In a message dated 6/4/2003 3:26:59 PM Central Daylight Time,
annmarie@_______.com writes:
Dear Bill,
My daughter found your awesome site. She is currently homeschooled and going
into the 9th grade. I'm interested in knowing the cost of the on-line course
and is a book required? How do you show documentation of her quizzes and
exams (as I would need this to present as proof of the course). One last
question, a semester is how many hours of work?
Very Interested,
Catherine and Ann Marie B______
Catherine and Ann Marie,
A typical college-level four-credit-hour course following a semester calendar
system entails 60 hours of classroom work plus 1 to 3 hours of homework per
classroom-hour of instruction, plus an hour or two for a comprehensive
end-of-course exam (otherwise known as a "final").
Each ASL University course has been designed to provide an online equivalent
to a college-level ASL course. For example, level 1 covers dozens of
grammar concepts, over 400 vocabulary items, the manual alphabet,
numbers, and basic information related to Deaf culture and history. The
above content is organized into 20 sequential lessons. Each lesson
focuses on a general theme and presents corresponding grammar concepts,
vocabulary, and practice sentences. Assignments include 20 receptive
quizzes, a 500-word research paper, an expressive video project, and a
receptive
final. To facilitate the administration of quizzes, the 20 lessons were
divided into four units. A CD ROM has been designed for each unit. Each CD
contains five quizzes presented in full-motion video. The CDs are
known as "The Course Pack."
Each higher level of the program presents additional important grammar concepts,
400 new signs, 400 additional signed phrases and more supporting
information about Deaf culture and history. Eventually there will be 10
levels plus additional special topic areas.
A book is not required, but you are encouraged to check your
local library for available resources.
The lessons and information at Lifeprint.com (ASL University) are free for
self study. If you are homeschooling your child (or if you would like
to test your own progress) I suggest you buy the coursepack
CDs. Your student can take the quizzes on the CDs by watching the signed
questions and typing her responses in English. Then you can check to
see if she is right by using the master answer sheet that is included on
each CD. (On the other hand, if you are an expert at ASL,
you don't need to buy the CDs, you can just sign the quizzes to her
yourself.)
Next you would need to find a friend or associate who is skilled in ASL to
test your daughters expressive skills.
Another option is to use a "receptive skills only approach." If all
she is being tested on is her "receptive" skills, then you could use the
phrase "ASL Level-1 Receptive" as the title for the course. The
"Receptive" label helps identify the fact that the course only accounts for
receptive skill development. Some educators blanch at that idea, but I think
it is legitimate since many colleges allow "reading / listening" proficiency
examinations for fulfillment of foreign language requirements.
If you have access to someone who can test her expressive skills for a
comprehensive final then you could use the normal "ASL Level-1" course title.
For documentation you
can use the "Lifeprint Extended Transcript System
©" Continuing Education Unit Documentation Form:
[Click
here for the form]
Of course, that form is only as authoritative as the person who signs the
acknowledgement at the bottom. As a homeschooling mother it is up to
you how you want to handle that. If your school requires additional
validity, you can have your daughter tested by an ASL evaluator and have him
or her sign the form.
If you have the money, you can officially register her at ASL University
whereby I will set up a custom syllabus, send her the ASL Coursepack CDs,
personally answer her ASL questions in a timely fashion via email or instant
messaging, send a receptive final on CD, evaluate an expressive video
project / final exam, and provide full documentation of participation in the
program including a letter grade.
Best wishes in your ASL endeavors,
Dr.
Bill Vicars