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.
I as well have connected with Tionna and Danielle. Tionna and I get together and go over tests and bounce ideas off each other. As well as if one is absent make sure anything important gets gathered. With Danielle, I have learned so much. She so open to questions I have about the Deaf/Blind community as well as just a hoot to talk to. Also she gave me amazing experience in tactile signing as I got to teach her the Timber Story for ASL 101. It's interesting to teach that way because you have to explain all arm movements and facial movements down to the very detail. Also gave me the opportunity to teach. And for that I thank Danielle for choosing me for that project :) I believe every school classroom be it a Deaf and Hard of Hearing room or a non-deaf classroom, having a buddy to talk to or just bounce off ideas with is important. I know myself when a new semester starts I always try to find that buddy in a classroom or make a new friend in the first week just to help calm my nerves about the class. I do enjoy our assignments that give me to time to integrate with my fellow students (so i can secretly try to remember their names.) I think social environments are important for Deaf students because it will help them form an identity, work on language, and have an "exit buddy" (a little finding nemo humor for you.)
ReplyDeleteWhen the class first started meeting, I looked around and saw no one that I knew. It was somewhat intimidating, and I was already dreading the class. Now that the class is almost over, I can say that I really connected with Abigail and Abigayle. They've been really nice and super helpful, and it's always nice to meet new people. For deaf children, socialization is very important. No one wants to go through life alone, so it's always important to make friends and have someone there to at least talk to.
ReplyDeleteI personally really agree that having classmates that you can rely on and talk with can be very beneficial for learning. I have also developed a close relationship with Danielle and find myself asking her a lot of questions regarding this course and our other course together. When it comes to DHH students I think it is that much more important that they have friends or peers that they can rely on in class. It is always important to have a support group whether this be in class or in your personal life. Having another student that you can rely on for help (with vocabulary, reading, or clarification questions) is always important. Like Tionna said this can also help them to develop socially by having someone to talk to about what they did the past weekend, or how their day is going rather than solely talking about a class.
ReplyDeleteComing into this class, I only knew Miranda. We still do our assignments together and talk about concepts from class to develop a deeper understanding. However, I feel like we've all grown as a class. Before, I didn't know any of you at all. (That's a lie. I knew Whitney. She's a cousin of a friend.) However, now I know everyone in our class and I feel like we can have real discussions and learn a lot from each other. I have grown to like a lot of the people in this class, and I think I can thank all of the activities in class and all of our discussions for that.
ReplyDeleteI only had known Amber coming into the class but I feel like through the discussions and activities I have grown to have those small yet helpful conversations with several other students in the class. I have seen and heard their opinions and I've found it to help me to see other perspectives and see why they view it a certain way. I think it can be very beneficial to have partner and group work but I also believe it is important to learn to think and work independently. A social environment can be helpful for a Deaf student when learning and practicing their communication skills. A social environment is beneficial for most groups of people.
ReplyDeleteI feel like within this classroom and my other classes have become more group discussed. I think that this helps form a sense of community within a classroom and is a good example on how a classroom could run differently then the usual teacher student conversation. This includes the entire class and also helps me focus more during class meetings. I know I get distracted easily and once that happens it can be really hard for me to focus back in on the subject.
ReplyDeleteI feel as though from the beginning of the semester to this point, I have felt myself become much more comfortable with our entire class. I enjoy discussing my thoughts and hearing the various perspectives of others. It is a different type of learning that resonates with me. I think working with others is much more helpful than independently. I personally like to complete what I can on my own and then collaborate with those around me on those I have and the ones I do not understand. Sometimes hearing someone read a question or explaining how they perceive it can allow me to answer assignments much easier.
ReplyDeleteAs we’ve discussed in class, the most important goal for a child of the deaf is to develop language. An environment where a deaf child is able to socialize with those around them is vitally important in adhering to their language skills. This pertains to them personally communicating and listening as well. Overall, a social environment is a prominent part of a child’s development in language and all children require it to grow in a social aspect.
I think classmates play such a vital role in the overal morale of the classroom. Having people to talk with, such as an elbow partner, really allows you to think about why you think what you think and learn why someone else might think differently. I have really enjoyed getting to know everyone in the class, and I like how we can have discussions during class. Having peers I can connect with in class has been very beneficial in class during assignments. If on an assignment I stubble apon a question I do not know or understand I can talk to those around me and we can figure it out togther as a team.
ReplyDeleteI think being able to work with your classmates is super important especially in college. Having someone to bounce ideas off of and come to with questions is so nice to have. I have connected with Abigail this semester and consider her a friend. I am glad I have her to talk about assignments with and get together before/after class time to work on them together. I have really enjoyed getting to know others in my program as well and cant wait to grow closer to them throughout the remainder of my program!
ReplyDeleteThis is my fifth semester in college and it has always amazed me when I reflect back on the semesters to all of the people that I have met. Education courses at EKU are great for encouraging us to get to know our classmates and collaborating with them. I have connected with multiple students in SED 337. A huge thing that I am thankful for is having class with Danielle! She is always so friendly and welcoming! We have multiple classes together and she challenges me to consider the different needs from each student when forming presentations. I am very thankful for the connection made with all of you in classes but especially Danielle for teaching and showing me the importance of adapting lessons to meet the needs for all learners!
ReplyDeleteConsidering the semester for all classes, there are times that group work is beneficial and more rewarding than working independently. However, sometimes I believe that professors over-kill group work and it becomes a chore. The type of group learning that we have done in SED 337 by having group conversations is very beneficial to learning. This provides multiple perspectives and we can learn from each person that shares. Deaf students can positively grow from interactive social environments because it gets them talking (signing). This allows Deaf students to exercise their language and learn new vocabulary through the interaction and connection made with classmates.
I feel working with students in a classroom is very beneficial. With this class I have several people in it that is in the same major as me. So we can share ideas and help keep eachother on track during class. I love sitting by Cassidy because we share so many things and she helps me sometimes see a different perspective on things and I am very thankful for her. So I think DHH students working with one another and hearing kids will be so beneficial. I also feel changing it up some and switching students around out of their typical groups will help them grow together as well.
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