Interview questions by Melissa
Trindade
09/23/2014
1. How does your field or occupation benefit society?
Answer: My specific field is "American Sign Language
Instruction." See:
http://www.lifeprint.com/asl101/topics/the-benefits-of-american-sign-language.htm
.
The larger field within which I work is "Deaf Studies." There
exists a need for skilled signers to become interpreters, teachers,
counselors, audiologists, etc. These individuals need background
knowledge and training in advanced sign language and Deaf culture in
order to properly do their jobs in a socio-culturally appropriate
way. Also, persons desiring to obtain interpreter certification
from certain respected certifying organizations must first earn a
Bachelors degree in order to take the certification exam and receive
continuing education in the field in order to remain certified. Thus
my work in this field helps sign language interpreters meet their
certification requirements while improving their skills and
knowledge.
2. With regard to your job, what does your daily life consist of?
(Daily duties, daily concerns, etc.)
Answer:
For my "day" job (Full-time Faculty at CSU Sacramento) I prepare
lessons, teach classes, grade assignments, advise students, attend
way too many committee meetings, and answer way too much email.
Often that email consists of requests for interviews such as this
one -- or requests for letters of recommendation.
See:
http://www.lifeprint.com/asl101/topics/highschoolcurriculum.htm
Also see:
http://www.lifeprint.com/asl101/topics/careers3.htm
The original job
description consisted of:
Duties will consist of teaching in a large program of Beginning,
Intermediate and Advanced ASL classes that lead to a certificate.
Assignment will include collaborating in the development of an ASL
laboratory and the opportunity to develop other classes related to
the culture of Deafness for eventual development of a Bachelor's
degree in ASL/Deaf Studies, Interpreting, or other related fields.
May be asked to teach evenings and/or weekends. Maintaining
regular and close contact with the Deaf community and community
colleges in the college service area as related to the curriculum is
required. Responsibilities also include student advising, university
service, ongoing scholarly activity, and community involvement.
3. For your occupation, what education is required?
Answer:
If you want to teach full-time, tenure track at a four-year
university you would do well to have a doctorate degree in a related
field. Sure, you can find "some" positions at four-year universities
that require only a masters degree -- but a doctorate will be
preferred. At two-year community colleges the preference is for a
masters degree or higher but I've seen a few colleges that listed a
minimum of a bachelors in order to apply.
4. With regard to education required, is there a lot of writing
involved? (Papers, assignments, etc.)
Answer:
As far as sign language-related education the amount of required
writing is certainly less than that for many other fields. As far as
"Deaf Studies" the amount of required writing is fairly high.
5. With regard to writing in your field, what types of writing do
you do? (Emails, lectures, etc.)
Answer:
I do quite a bit of writing since I post so much to the web. Some
people in this field do very little writing (for example, certain
part-time instructors who are simply "teaching from the book").
Certainly I write numerous emails. I fill out various forms. I
develop quite a bit of curriculum so that brings my fingers to the
keyboard rather often.
6. Do you have any special guideline that you follow for the writing
that you need to do in your field? If yes, please explain
guideline(s).
Answer:
No. However we do tend to have one quirk regarding our writing that
may be of interest. We tend to capitalize the word "Deaf."
7. Do you have any struggles with your writing? Is there anything
specific aspect that troubles you when you have to write for your
field?
Answer:
Me personally? No. An interesting challenge involved with "writing"
in the Deaf field revolves around the fact that many professionals
in Deaf Studies are coming to the field with English as a second
language and thus when reading the writings of some of my colleagues
I sometimes need to apply my understanding of the grammar of
American Sign Language in order to make sense of the intent
regarding what has been written.
8. Have you been an author of a textbook or some other work that is
used in education with regard to your field? If yes, please explain.
Answer:
I've created a massive website full of articles and writing (as well
as numerous pictures and videos).
9. What types of forms do you have to fill out with regard to your
profession?
Answer:
Course proposal and/or change forms, graduation application forms
(with the students), grade change forms, course substitution and
waiver forms, declaration of major or minor forms, etc.
10. How do you go about filling out these forms?
Answer:
I tend to make a template and then change only the very minimum
amount of data. Or I email the form to the student and have them
fill out as much as they can prior to it hitting my desk.
11. If you need to do research for lectures or presentations, where
do you acquire your research from? (Online, books, etc.)
Answer:
See:
http://www.lifeprint.com/asl101/pages-layout/researchpaper.htm
12. Can you please walk me through your process of writing for the
following:
-Lectures
-Presentations
-Emails
Answer:
I could, but no -- I won't. Seriously, it would take way too long
for me to give you a thorough answer to that question. I will
however mention a few things:
- I keep an archive of my emails. As of today it has 12,873 emails
in it. I tend to use descriptive subjects. Then when someone asks
me something I've "written" about before I tend to do a search, find
the previously written information, copy it, and then paste it into
the new email.
13. Where do you do most of your writing, home or work?
Answer:
I work from home as much or more than I work at my "day job" office.
14. Why do you do most of your writing in that particular setting
mentioned above?
Answer:
Alright, let's get real: I write where ever I happen to be. I put
my documents in the cloud (Dropbox) and then whenever I feel the
urge I reach over to whatever computer is within arms reach and I
start typing. It is rare that I don't have a keyboard within
reach. I have six personal computers. Two desktop computers
and a laptop at my CSU Sacramento office, a desktop computer in my
bedroom, a desktop computer in my home office, and a laptop for
traveling. No, I don't share those with my wife or kids. They have
their own computer(s). I also have three Bluetooth keyboards of
various sizes so that if needed I can type (quickly!) on my phone,
iPad, or (Android) Tablet.
15. For the majority of your writing, who is your intended audience?
Answer:
ASL Students, interpreters, teachers, and parents of Deaf children.
16. Do you use different language-formal or informal- based on your
audience choice, or do you use the same language no matter the
audience choice?
Answer:
Yes, I match my language to my audience.
17. Do you enjoy the writing you have to do? Please specify which
types of writing you like to do. If you do not like to write certain
things, please explain why.
Answer:
I like writing things that I know will eventually receive massive
exposure via my website. I like writing things that will benefit the
lives of my students. I liked writing this interview until about
half-way though since I enjoy being helpful but to be honest
this is getting boring, my arse is starting to get stiff, (how's
that for for informal language choices?), and I'm getting hungry.
18. Do you like to collaborate in your writing or do you like to do
it alone? Please explain why.
Answer:
Alone. It is faster and there is a heck of a lot less "back and
forth." When I "do" collaborate I prefer using a check-in/out tool
such as "Github" or online documents that can be collaborated on
together in real time.
19. How much writing is realistically required for your field of
work?
Answer:
A couple hours per week. When I was "program coordinator" it was
much more (six to eight hours per week). I personally choose to
write more, but that isn't "required."
20. Do you have any tips on how to write well in your field?
Answer:
Read good books. Turn on Microsoft Word's "grammar checker" and pay
attention to it.
21. Who or what influences you in your writing?
Answer:
Seth Godin.
22. Do you believe that your writing has helped you to advance in
your field?
Answer:
Absolutely.
23. What is your degree status-- Ph.D, Masters, etc.
Answer:
Some of my degrees and certifications (past and/or present) include:
An Ed.D. (Education Doctorate) in Deaf Studies/Deaf Education from
Lamar University (accredited), a Masters in Deaf Education
(accredited), MCSE (Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer), MCT
(Microsoft Certified Trainer), A+ (COMPTia Computer Technician), N+
(Network Technician), ASLTA certification (American Sign Language
Teachers Association), and "EdNet" (Distance Education Certificate).
Most of which have probably expired -- except the college degrees --
last I checked they don't have an expiration date. At one point I
studied for and passed the Utah Real Estate License exam, but as it
turns out I didn't want to spend my life trying to lipread clients
from the side while driving them around to look at houses (plus my
hearing aid is almost worthless in a car due to road noise.) Oh well
-- at least it spurred me on to go back to school and get my
doctorate.
Additional info about me:
http://lifeprint.com/asl101/pages-layout/instructor.htm
Also see: http://www.lifeprint.com/asl101/topics/careers3.htm
You can learn American Sign Language (ASL) online at American Sign Language University ™
ASL resources by Lifeprint.com © Dr. William Vicars
