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Full-Text Articles in Sign Languages
Adjusting To Change: Learning American Sign Language Online During A Global Pandemic, Kara Gournaris
Adjusting To Change: Learning American Sign Language Online During A Global Pandemic, Kara Gournaris
Northwest Journal of Teacher Education
Second language acquisition of American Sign Language (ASL) requires opportunities for engagement with native language models (Krashen, 1988). The shift to online instruction due to the impact of COVID-19 presented unique challenges for ASL programs across the United States. With little time to redesign courses, instructors and students had to navigate the experience of online learning together. The students who participated in this 2020 study at Western Oregon University (WOU) shared their raw experiences related to this transition, and unfortunately, one year later, many of the same barriers reported by students persist. The purpose of this article is to share …
Forced Transitions: Learning Asl In A Virtual Environment, Kara Gournaris
Forced Transitions: Learning Asl In A Virtual Environment, Kara Gournaris
Northwest Journal of Teacher Education
Engagement with native language models is essential for second language acquisition. Social distancing mandates made this interaction nearly impossible for students learning American Sign Language (ASL), at a small rural university in western Oregon. COVID-19 brought with it many challenges, not the least of which was a hurried transition from face-to-face to online learning. The author found that some courses degraded in content and instruction when shifting to an online platform. Without access to community events where native language models were present, ASL students had less opportunities for incidental learning, legitimate peripheral participation, and connection within Deaf communities of practice.