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.
Hi Abigayle,
ReplyDeleteThank you for such a thoughtful post. As a DHH major this class has been the most beneficial class for me in the aspect of what to do in a DHH classroom. To be specific though, the most mind opening and important thing I have learned in this class is the l word, language. As a deaf educator it is critical that I am unbiased and provide my students with the best possible education no matter what mode of communication is used. I think Ms. Anita said it best when she used the analogy of a commnication tool box. I believe her words were similar to this, "Why would't we want to provide students with multiple communication resourses so that they can express themselves in a variety of settings?" So the most important thing I've learned during this class is that it's not about teaching ASL, it's not about teaching through speaking and listening, it's about providing students with an appropriate education which allows them to reach their full potential.
I was shocked to learn about the struggle of literacy and language for deaf students. I didn't realize how big of an issue it really is, now having this understanding I know I can provide better resources to my students in that area. Being a DHH major, at first I thought I just would be teaching deaf students like I would teach in the general education classroom but with ASL; I have found out now that- that is far from the truth, that deaf students struggle in different areas than you would typically see in other classrooms. With this information I will be prepared on what to expect in my classroom a few years down the road. I believe that this aspect will help me the most as I continue to grow in this field.
ReplyDeleteAbigayle,
ReplyDeleteI loved reading this post. I could tell you put a lot of thought into it. I am only a freshman, so I didn't have a lot of background going into this class. I am a DHH major, so I honestly thought that the only way to teach was in a resource room or at a deaf school. I didn't think I would have any other options. This was definitely eye-opening for me. Another thing, though, was the different modes of communication. I had made the assumption that all deaf people knew sign language, so that was the only way to teach deaf children. Not only have I learned that this is a myth, but now I have learned several other modes of communication I can use in my own classroom. I also found our discussion on forming an identity very interesting. As hearing people, we usually don't think about this. However, it's something that a lot of deaf individuals feel like they have to do. I totally agree with you that this class has opened up my mind. I'm grateful to have had this class before any others. I feel like it has set me up with a good mindset for the rest of my classes.
I have learned a lot from this class. The importance of language has been stressed throughout the entire semester. It was shocking to see the statistics of comparing comparing a hearing child's vocabulary to a deaf child's vocabulary. While it is very crucial for teachers to provide students with a quality education that allows them to reach their full potential, it is also important that its challenging. Teachers in the past excused Deaf individuals from their work because they did not think that they capable of completing the work. The importance of challenging Deaf students has been a major take-away for me this semester!
ReplyDeleteGreat detail and great blog post Abigail! Coming into this class I was stoked to learn more for my major but I didn't know I would learn as much as I did (if that makes since). I love the way that our professor teaches us content and how she gives her opinion about the deaf community because it really makes me and probably others open up and expand our thinking upon DHH. Out of all the classes I have attended since I have been at EKU this class has been the most helpful.
ReplyDeleteI learned a lot about the different modes of communication and the importance of the word language. The different modes of communication really opened my eyes to all of the options deaf and hard of hearing students have. I did not know there were so many options for students and parents. We also as DHH teachers have the opportunity to make the students and parents aware of the options That is one of the most valuable things I believe I can take from this class so far.
ReplyDeleteWhat made me stop and think might be common sense but for some reason is hit me like a ton of bricks. That ASL doesn't have a written form. Reading that just made a light bulb in my head just turn on and just gasps. Along with that the real definition of mainstream just surprised me as well.
ReplyDeleteAbigayle-
ReplyDeleteI have learned a lot that I can use after this course. I am a special education and science teacher; however, I will be completing my masters in Deaf and Hard of Hearing Education and so if I have an exceptional needs student that is nonverbal, or deaf, or hard of hearing I can use ASL with them, or use any of the other modes of communication that we have discussed in class. In addition, I feel as though what will benefit me the most is the different strategies that Mrs. White has discussed in class. I feel as though most of the strategies are good not only for those who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing but for all students in general. I feel as though taking this course will really benefit me to “broaden my horizon” and consider considering a variety of different students that I might have in my own class one day. One of the things that really made me stop and think was 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. It really opened my eyes to the variety of communication options there are for individuals who are DHH.
Hello. I feel it is very beneficial for students to learn ASL and English. Mrs. White told us about how she taught her students speaking and signing English. I feel knowing her experience with that helped me a lot, it helped me understand the importance of both languages especially when it comes to reading and writing.
ReplyDeleteThroughout this semester I was exposed more to the major of Deaf and Hard of Hearing. I have recently started thinking of changing my major to this program. I have found all the information from this class and my other classes extremely interesting. I have always had an interest in learning ASL and working with people who are hard of hearing. I have not thought about the option of changing my major until one of our classmates asked me why not. So this class has exposed me to different events, allowing me to participate in activities with students that are deaf and hard of hearing.
ReplyDeleteAs a DHH Major, I have found this class to be very helpful. Though I have learned a lot that I will definitely take with me through my journey as a teacher, I can definitely say that the thing that has really stuck out is my experience. Before we went to KSD, I would sometimes sit in class and think 'is this really what I want to do?' But after we went I got the reassurance that I needed and after recently studying about the different types of schools ans what other options I have, I realize that I could teach almost anywhere. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to go back home and teach at KSD or another residential school somewhere, but I now have some things to think about involving exactly what I want to do.
ReplyDeleteI love this post!
ReplyDeleteI was not expecting to get out as much as I have from this class but I can truly say that I have enjoyed learning about a topic I was not familiar with whatsoever. With that being said, I obviously have learned a lot throughout this class but one thing that I will never forget is my site visit. I am planning on being in a gen Ed classroom however I observed in a deaf and hard of hearing class where the teacher pulled students and worked with them in a smaller group. After observing in this class, I realized just how much these teachers do to make sure all students have the tools for success. In the classroom I was in this was shown in so many ways and the teacher worked so well with these students. Being an educator I need to remember this day and know that not every student is going to learn the same way or in the same amount of time as another and that is perfectly okay. I also have a huge respect and appreciation for these teachers that are taking students out of their classroom to ensure they are getting an equal opportunity for learning.
Hey Abigayle!
ReplyDeleteI really like this question. As bad as this sounds, this course has opened my eyes to realize that my occupation isn’t solely targeted toward the hearing community. After going to KSD, to say the least it blessed my heart to know that I can do something to help every child. When choosing my major, it was focused wholeheartedly on being able to serve children and help them progress in whatever angle that may be. Through the course of this semester, I am glad to know that my major is versatile in the sense that I am not limited to working with one type of child, but so many others!
Hey Abigayle!
ReplyDeleteI love this post! This course has opened my eyes to many different concepts. Coming into this class, I honestly did not expect to learn too much about my future occupation. I just got accepted into the CD program, so I still do not have a deep understanding of the field as a whole. However, I have realized that deaf students can benefit from an SLP. Aside from specific topics learned, I have also learned a lot about myself. This class is a class that at first made me uncomfortable. I was scared to voice my opinion and discuss several topics. Learning to take risks and keep an open mind throughout discussions has helped me in a tremendous way.