Changing and/or Challenging Your Mindset

Hey guys! It's Amber!

I have honestly been dreading this blog post since the beginning of this semester. Everybody was posting these really insightful things that made me think. It was pretty intimidating! However, I think I've come up with something will get everyone to reflect on what we've learned over the semester and even before this semester.

I have learned a lot in this class, and a lot of what I've learned has chaged my way of thinking. I think the most memorable moment I've had that really changed my mindset was when we dove into the chapter on the myths and misconceptions of deafness and deaf individuals. I had all of these prior thoughts on deafness and what it meant to be deaf. It wasn't until this chapter that I realized how wrong I was on several things. On that same note, there were things that I knew I was right about, but I didn't really understand why I was right. So, this chapter was really the first moment that my mindset began to open up.

I realize that a lot of you are further along in school than I am - considering I am only a freshman. So, I'm sure you all had some very different things that changed your mindset this semester. If there isn't anything that changed your mindset, what is something that has truly challenged it? What did you decide in the end on this matter or have you decided yet?

Tionna's Blog Post

Hey you all! I'm sorry for posting so late! I wanted to touch on a topic that relates to the class and outside of the class as well. Now that the semester is almost over I am sure you have grown to appreciate the class as a whole. During this semester have you connected with not just the lessons but your classmates as well? Do you think having classmates help more than working independently on assignments?  How can a social environment  help deaf students?

During the semester I have really connected with Danielle and Colleen. This really helped me during assignments and projects that we have done in the past.  I think social interaction is very important for everyone. I believe when deaf or hard of hearing students create friendships in a classroom it really helps them with their social skills. Students can help one another, talk to one another about personal problems, or even do activities outside of school. When students are interacting with one another it helps build their language development. Having a balanced social life can create many positive outcomes and opportunists for anyone.

Megan's "Food for Thought"

Hey guys!

It’s finally my week to start a blog post, like Abigayle I was wondering when it would finally be my turn to start a blog post.  I have struggled all year long because I feel as though I had so many good ideas for different units, and now that it’s my turn I am coming up short on ideas to talk about!

I have a few questions that I wanted to ask.  What was your favorite part of Anita’s story/presentation?  What has been your favorite unit to learn about this semester? 

My favorite part of Anita’s presentation was her discussion on how she felt as though she didn’t fit into any of the categories of either Deaf, deaf, or D/deaf.  I loved her discussion on how she was never fully in one side or the other when it came to the hearing and the deaf “worlds”.  She was never completely deaf or she was never completely hearing – such as how she is deaf, but she thinks like a hearing person.  I feel as though this aspect of her presentation was very unique.  It was interesting to hear her story and the different identity struggles that she had.  I think that it really opened my mind into the variety of backgrounds that individuals who are DHH have, and how many of them are trying to figure out their identity and their hearing loss.

One of my favorite units that we have covered has been the modes of communication.  I discussed that last week with Abigayle’s post.  What has interested me the most is the wide range of communication modes that individuals who are DHH could use.  I had no idea what Pidgeon Signed English was, that there was anything like cued speech, or signed exact English.  Coming into this class I thought that the only communication options were ASL, speaking and listening, or a combination of these two.  It really opened my eyes to the variety of communication options there are for individuals who are DHH. 

-Megan Snyder-

Abigayle's Post to make you think

Hello All!!

So, over the past twelve or so weeks, as long as this semester has been, I have been wondering what on Earth I would ask when it was my week to start the blog. Well, here we are! Almost done with the semester, to where I can't remember how many weeks we have been here, and it is finally my turn to start the discussion! So, here goes.

Throughout this class we have learned a lot of useful information. Some more useful than others, depending on your major, but nonetheless all useful. Looking back on the semester, there have been a lot of times I have had to open my mind, more than I already have, to accept some things that weren't so easy. Here, let me clarify. I am a Deaf Studies major, as you all may know, and with that most of my classes are taught by Deaf people who have strong beliefs on "How", "Where", and "What" Deaf people should be taught, and on top of that "Who" should be teaching them. So, all of my knowledge prier to this class came from those individuals and their beliefs.

Coming into this class I was expecting one thing, and one thing only, all teaching to be done using ASL. Well, to say I was expecting that one thing is a stretch, but that was what I was mainly expecting. So, you can imagine my surprise when we started learning about the different modes you should/could teach Deaf students. Especially when we went to KSD. Signing and speaking? Never! It was a challenge to be completely honest.

I promise there is a point.

There are many things I have learned in this class, and with needing to post on the blog this week, it has forced me to reflect back on everything I have taken from this class so far. Not just what I took notes on, but the things I can really take away from this class once this semester is over. There are a lot of things from this course that will benefit those of you who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing Education majors, but for me, someone who has no desire to teach at all, there were things for me too.

Out of everything, the one thing I feel is most important, for life but especially for this class:
"Always keep an open mind"

I came into this class expecting one thing. Thinking that "Simultaneous Communication" is a no-go no matter what, but when it comes to teaching these children you need to put your views aside and respect the parents choice on how they want their child to communicate. Plus, you always want every child to have the same amount of access to the information.

Alright, I have now come to the point where I will ask you a question. Out of everything in this class, yes I am asking you to also reflect on this semester, what have you learned that you can truly use after this course? No matter the major, with whatever you have going on in your lives, what really made you stop and think?

P.S.
I apologize for the long post. But, I ask you all to also open your mind to new ideas! You do not always need to agree, but it is always best to accept other's views as being just as valid as your own.

-Abigayle D.

Labeling

Hey guys, it's Abigail Gulley! I am in charge of beginning the blog this week and I am excited to hear your responses. On Tuesday we talked about the different stages of Deaf individuals forming an identity for themselves. I thought that it was neat to discuss because I have never seen them before. However, I wanted to discuss why labels are so bothersome and annoying to certain individuals? Do you think that we can overcome labels? If so, how?

 A label is simply something that people make up to "stick" onto someone to give them a place to "belong", to be like their "kind." Finding a clique is in our genetic makeup, we want to be accepted by our peers so we search in labels to find our "home". I find it interesting that labels in the hearing world was not mentioned in working to understand labels in the Deaf community; There really is no difference. Where I find the problem is that other people place labels on us. While listening to Anita talk she repeatedly said "they." Example: "I classified myself as Deaf but THEY said that I was hard of hearing." "How am I hearing?" she said "I cannot hear!!!" "You're hard of hearing because you are so vocal." Often times people place a label on us (or the Deaf) before we can get a sense of who we are. The issue in labeling is that WE do not get to choose, others choose for us. Anita continued to talk about how she struggled after that point in identifying what she classified as because she grew up in a "hearing" life but she was deaf. I find labels to be bothersome because others feel empowered to decide who we are for us. I believe that labels can be overcome with individuals that have unwavering determination and a loving attitude.