Syllabus: "ASL 1" (self-study w/Grade-book)

How to get an "A":
1. Go through lessons 1 through 15 at ASLUniversity.com and click on each vocabulary or sentence link in each lesson.

2. Watch the instructional video for each lesson. Tip: See www.youtube.com/billvicars and find the playlist for ASL 1. (Here it is for your convenience: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6akqFwEeSphJ6rd50AtRBKNGracfavCi) Yes, I know it is only 360 pixels. The next time I teach ASL 1 "in-person" I'll re-do the videos in higher resolution.

3. Watch the "official" quiz video for each lesson (see the links in the schedule above) and type or write down your answers:

4. Go to https://www.coursesites.com/s/_ASLU-01 and register by clicking on the "Self-Enroll in this course" link and then enter the course access code: 258

5. After you registered at the coursesites site, and in the ASL-01 class area find the quiz submission links and submit your quiz answers. Another way to access the course from then on is via: http://asluniversity.coursesites.com

6. Upon completion of 15 lesson quizzes, 3 Unit Exams, and the culture test you will have completed this course.

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 and Unit Quizzes:
Lifeprint is full of various practice quizzes and materials. Do not confuse 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. See the schedule above.
To get credit for the quizzes write down (or type) what you think is being signed, then go to https://asluniversity.coursesites.com, login to this course, find the quiz link and input your answers there so your answers will be automatically graded and your score added to your grade-sheet.

Culture Test:
This is not meant to be a "hard" test. Rather it is simply meant to encourage you to become familiar with various Deaf Culture-related terms and concepts. It will take maybe an hour or so of reading. After reading through this material once, go to https://asluniversity.coursesites.com, login to this course and find the Culture Test link. Then complete and submit the 300 question Culture Test. Just kidding. It is only 50 questions. If you need to look up an answer, go ahead, it is an "open book" test. However, if you find yourself having to look up most answers it means you didn't study deeply enough to internalize the material.

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. Do NOT post the answers to these quizzes anywhere. Thanks. ASLU doesn't run nor maintain the coursesites website. If they change their policies or go out of business that would affect the operation of this course.

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.

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

Answer:
Learn and practice basic fingerspelling at http://asl.gs, http://asl.ms (or on a mobile device try: http://asl.ms/mobile ). You can learn numbers at NUMBERS and then you can practice numbers at http://asl.bz

Question:
Where can I ask questions about ASL and/or find support?

Answer:
This is a MOOC (Massive Online Open Course), as such it is self-study for personal enrichment only. If you have a sign language related question you might want to apply for membership in the Lifeprint-ASLU Facebook group. See: https://www.facebook.com/groups/lifeprint-aslu

Question:
How long do I get to take this course?

Answer:
This course is open entry / open exit. Choose your own due dates to match your needs. It is recommended that you complete the course within 16 weeks. (However you can take up to a year if needed. After that your file may be deleted. So if you want a record of your participation -- get the course done, download or print your grade-book scores and letter grade, then keep a copy somewhere safe.)

Question:
Can I get a certificate of completion for this course?

Answer:
Remember the bit about "self-study" for "personal enrichment only"? "Official" Certificates of completion are for documentation purposes. Many students have requested the opportunity to use free online ASL courses to fulfill language requirements at their local high school or college. The problem is one of "validity" and legitimacy. To be sufficiently legitimate for high school and college purposes, a course should require documentation of course participation and verification of the student's expressive signing ability and ability to understand what is being signed (at a level of difficulty corresponding to the course being taken). Since verification and documentation is a time consuming process requiring the attention and participation of a skilled ASL instructor, a formal fee-based program has been made available for those wishing to use these courses for high school or college purposes. Those courses cost $483 and include submission of a research paper, a video project, and a proctored final exam. You can read about them here:
Info: http://lifeprint.com/asl101/index.htm
Registration letter: http://lifeprint.com/bookstore/registrationaslucourses.htm
Tuition: http://lifeprint.com/bookstore/tuition.htm

Question:
How can I contact you?

Answer:
There are thousands of you and "one" of me. I've got 4,783 emails in my box at the moment. I triage it for emails from family, friends, and items related to my day job. Then as time permits I answer emails from "other" people. Thus your best bet is joining the (official) Lifeprint-ASLU Facebook group and asking your question there. See: https://www.facebook.com/groups/lifeprint-aslu

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