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"American Sign Language 2"  Syllabus (ASLU)

Course description: 
A continuation of American Sign Language Level 1.  Students continue to develop expressive and receptive signing skills as well as learn additional vocabulary, grammar, history, fingerspelling, numbers, terminology, and Deaf culture concepts.

Contact info:
Success coach: Alyson Rafferty ASLUniversity@aol.com 
Instructor: "Dr. Bill" (William G. Vicars, Ed.D.)
[Contact Information]

SCHEDULE:
Choose your own due dates to match your needs.  You can take up to a full year if needed, however, some students complete the course much faster depending on the amount of time each day or week that they invest.  You should allocate at least 75 hours complete the course.   Make sure to turn in everything at least 2 weeks prior to when you need your course documentation. The earlier the better.

Instructional Videos: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6akqFwEeSpiVx2wFa2zMl_JmK7oIHRC1

 

Lessons

Assignment

Points

Pick your own due dates
and submit your quiz answers via
https://canvas.instructure.com/login/canvas

Lesson 16

Quiz 16

20

Lesson 16 Quiz: https://youtu.be/PQ0EUxjV-m4

Lesson 17

Quiz 17

20

Lesson 17 Quiz: https://youtu.be/pLMTAe9zNTM

Lesson 18

Quiz 18

20

Lesson 18 Quiz: https://youtu.be/2V1i0ltFOew

Lesson 19

Quiz 19

20

Lesson 19 Quiz: https://youtu.be/HMFpESBqOLg

Lesson 20

Quiz 20

20

Lesson 20 Quiz: https://youtu.be/0hacnmNNpRM

 

Unit 4 Test

50

Unit 4 Test: https://youtu.be/fwbKvRsxm6w

Lesson 21

Quiz 21

20

Lesson 21 Quiz: https://youtu.be/_mGK8hbtzMk

Lesson 22

Quiz 22

20

Lesson 22 Quiz: https://youtu.be/D-MyZx1XMNI

Lesson 23

Quiz 23

20

Lesson 23 Quiz: https://youtu.be/60_321K3ilA

Lesson 24

Quiz 24

20

Lesson 24 Quiz: https://youtu.be/YaYuLyQmMxE

Lesson 25

Quiz 25

20

Lesson 25 Quiz: https://youtu.be/CFGq7YaLXCw

 

 Unit 5 Test

50

Unit 5 Test: https://youtu.be/cDAKeH4eNwc

Lesson 26

Quiz 26

20

Lesson 26 Quiz: https://youtu.be/0OuhlEK8rMg

Lesson 27

Quiz 27

20

Lesson 27 Quiz: https://youtu.be/iqP8KRxcL-w

Lesson 28

Quiz 28

20

Lesson 28 Quiz: https://youtu.be/BHWu1VW8NQY

Lesson 29

Quiz 29

20

Lesson 29 Quiz: https://youtu.be/ld8QNFhldF0

Lesson 30

Quiz 30

20

Lesson 30 Quiz: https://youtu.be/z9AHwF1eVfU

 

 Unit 6 Test

50

Unit 6 Test: https://youtu.be/Z2lVinW0o9M
 

Culture Test
Study Guide

50

  The actual test can be found in the quizzes section of this
 course at https://canvas.instructure.com/login/canvas

 

Research Paper

100

Email this to ASLUniversity@aol.com For your subject
line use "ASLU 2 Research Paper" and your name.

 

Video Project

200

Upload and then send a link to ASLUniversity@aol.com

 

Final Exam

200

Take with proctor (see instructions)

 

Total

1000

 


How to get an "A":
1.
Go through lessons 16 through 30 at Lifeprint.comClick on each vocabulary link and sentence link in each lesson.
2. Watch the instructional video for each lesson (the videos where I'm sitting at a table with a student and teaching the student one-on-one)
(See: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6akqFwEeSpiVx2wFa2zMl_JmK7oIHRC1 )
(For another version see: http://webpages.csus.edu/vicars/index-videos-studio.htm )
3. Watch the "official" quiz video for each lesson
and type out your answers:
Official ASLU Registered Student Quiz Videos ►  [Bookmark THAT link!!!]
4.
Submit your quiz answers at  https://canvas.instructure.com/login/canvas
5. Do your video project, upload it to youtube.com or some other server and email me the link AFTER having a friend verify that the link works: INSTRUCTIONS  If you don't want to upload it to youtube you can instead send it to me via email. If you wish, you can do an online search for "Send large files by email" and use one of the free trials available online that let you send massive files via an email link but most students just upload it to YouTube. Make sure it is not marked private. It can be unlisted though. You can delete it after I give you your grade.
6  Get approval for your research paper topic, then write the paper and email it to your instructor:
INSTRUCTIONS
7. Request to take the final exam by sending your proctor's contact information to your instructor: INSTRUCTIONS

8. Upon completion of 15 lesson quizzes, 3 Unit Exams, a culture test, a research paper, a video project, and a proctored receptive final exam (at 70% or better) you may email me and request your course documentation  

Grading: 
Scale:  100-95%=A, 90 = A-, 87=B+, 84=B, 80=B-, 77=C+, 74=C, 70=C-, 67=D+, 64=D, 60=D-, 59=F.


Lesson Quizzes:
Lifeprint is full of various practice quizzes and materials.  Do not confuse any of the "practice quizzes"
with your "Official" registered student quizzes. Go through the practice quizzes if you'd like, but you will need to watch the "Official" quiz videos for your level at:
www.Lifeprint.com/quizzes50q/index-video-list.htm
If that goes down (hey, its the internet) just email me and I've got even more backup sites.
To get credit write down (or type) what you think is being signed, then go to https://canvas.instructure.com/login/canvas
log into this course, find the quiz submission link and input your answers there so your answers will be e automatically graded and your score added to your gradesheet If for some reason you can't get something to work, keep a copy of your written or typed answers.  Then contact me and let me know you need assistance.

Culture Test:
First STUDY!  Use the Culture Test Study Guide to study, and then you go over to https://canvas.instructure.com/login/canvas and click on the Quizzes link and look for this test in the list of quizzes.  You may need to scroll all the way down past the other quiz links. This is a multiple choice test.

Video Project:
The video project is important and required to show that you have learned the versions of signs taught in this curriculum.  Sometimes students have learned Signed English (rather than ASL) elsewhere and wish to take an ASL class thinking it will be an easy "A" not realizing that ASL has its own grammar and syntax -- as well as significant differences in much of the vocabulary (sign choices).  See the link in the schedule (above) for instructions regarding how to do your video assignment.

Final Exam:
The "Final Exam" is a proctored examination (that means someone trustworthy needs to be there to watch you take the exam according to the rules). You watch a video of me signing various sentences and you type out what you see me signing. Take the receptive final exam after you have turned in your quizzes.  You must earn a score of 70% or better on this test to pass this course.  If you can't pass the final exam you will get an "F" for this course since it is obvious you were sliding by on "open book" quizzes. STUDY and REVIEW if you want to pass the Final Exam.

When you are ready, send me an email with a subject line like: "ASLU 2: YOUR NAME, Final Exam Request"
Include in the email the full name, title or position, and email address of a responsible adult who will function as your proctor. Choose a proctor that you could prove is responsible and impartial in case a future school ever questions your completion certificate. Upon getting your email I will email  your proctor and will provide him or her with instructions and a link to the Final Exam video.

Take the test with the proctor in the room making sure you do not use any books, websites, or other external material. The test is a video. On the video you will see me signing various sentences to you. Type out the sentences in English or just string the ASL signs together (as long as it is clear that you understand the concept of what I'm signing you will get the points). You may pause and rewind the video as many times as you would like. If you miss even a single concept or change the meaning of the sentence you may miss the whole sentence so practice hard and don't try to bluff your way through this test.

The sentences are similar to those in the practice sheets in the lessons. It is important for you to do the practice sheets throughout the course so you will be able to do well on your receptive final. These sentences may not be exactly the same as the ones on the website (but the vocabulary is the same) so pay attention to each sign in the sentence. When you get done, have your proctor email your answers to me along with your first and last name.

Legal matters:

This syllabus and the schedule are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances. All students are always expected to work independently on graded quizzes and/or assignments unless specifically directed otherwise by the instructor. Assignments turned in late for any reason may receive 0 credit. Penalties for cheating and plagiarism may include receiving an F for a particular assignment, an F for the course, or expulsion from the program or university. Upon identifying themselves to the instructor and the university, students with disabilities will receive reasonable accommodation for learning and evaluation.
This syllabus and any later email communication from the instructor supersede whatever information you may find at the general ASLU website.  Prepare ahead of time to have backup internet access in case your regular computer crashes. If your computer is prone to crashing, save your work often and submit it early. Dead computers are not an excuse for late work. If you are in doubt as to whether your email has gone through, send a separate email with the subject line  "*** ASLU- Reply requested. First Name, Last Name".  Keep a backup copy of all submissions until the end of the course and your grade has been received.  

Pep talk:
You can do this.  I have near infinite patience. I love teaching and explaining.  If you have questions, ask in class or  just email them to me and I'll get back to you within 48 hours.  If you think I've overlooked your email, feel free to send your question again I won't feel bothered--rather I'll be grateful for the communication.  If there is something I can do to make the class better for you please do suggest it.  This class may be one of your more challenging accomplishments but I know if you work hard and put in the time you will succeed.
 



Questions and Answers:

Question:
I have been contemplating a paper topic for a while. Are there any topics that you suggest looking in to? Or would you rather we find one?  I haven't exactly thought of a good one yet, that is why I ask.

Answer:
Ask yourself: "What is my hobby? What things am I passionate about?" And then pick one of those answers and add "...and the Deaf." It doesn't matter how off-beat your topic is. If it is something you are passionate about it will generally turn out to be a pretty good research paper. For example, suppose you are passionate about "skateboarding" -- then add "and the Deaf" to end up with a topic of: "Skateboarding and the Deaf."  If you decide you'd like to do a more traditional topic, then pick something that might be useful to other users of the web such as: "How to become a teacher of the Deaf." Imagine you honestly wanted to become a teacher of the Deaf and you needed actual step by step instructions. Also, consider interviewing actual working teachers of the Deaf! Call them up on the phone -- they won't bite. If they are Deaf, just use the video relay to call them, etc. What's that? You've never heard of a "video relay for the Deaf?" Well that's another good topic to research: "video relay services." 
Please don't use Lifeprint.com (this website) or wikipedia as your "source." I'm proud of the quality of the articles on Lifeprint but I don't want recycled material.  Go find original sources such as peer reviewed articles or books from a major publisher if possible.

Question:
How hard do you grade the video project and final exam?

Answer:
Typically students, (even high achievers), do not do as well on the video project (which is expressive -- you do the signing)  in a "distance education" course as they do on the Final exam (which is receptive -- you watch someone else sign).  Many students who get an "A" on the receptive end up getting a "C" on the expressive because signing without having had someone to practice with is like swimming without water. (Which often results in "A" caliber students receiving a combined grade of a "B.") Please understand that I will grade you according to the same standard as if you were one of my in-class students who had been attending class twice a week for three months. To pass an expressive test in distance education course will require a serious effort. I don't wish to discourage you, quite the opposite. But I do want you to be informed ahead of time that you will need to work hard to do well.


Question:
Where can I learn and practice fingerspelling and numbers?

Answer:
Learn and practice basic fingerspelling at http://asl.gs, http://asl.ms
You can learn numbers at NUMBERS and then you can practice numbers at http://asl.bz


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