|
Course title and number |
Class Days and Time |
Location |
Credit |
|
Fingerspelling and ASL
Numbers
(EDS 156) |
M W F 4:00PM - 4:50PM |
307G |
1 Unit
(1 semester credit hour) |
Welcome
to Class!
I'm glad you are here! You can do this!
Fingerspelling and numbers are really fun and cool. You study and
practice them enough and "bing!" a switch flips in your head
-- all of
a sudden you start "catching" fingerspelled words and signed numbers.
They start rolling off your fingers with ease and speed.
Hang in
there, give it a good effort, and you'll get it.
- Dr. Bill
Instructor:
William Vicars, Ed.D.
(Bill)
Email: BillVicars@aol.com
Office:
Eureka 308 Office Hours: MWF Noon - 1pm
Course description:
Students will develop
increased fluency in their expressive and receptive abilities in
fingerspelling through in-class practice and viewing of additional
materials. Students will also reinforce their abilities to utilize ASL
numbering systems for time, money, measurements, and game scores, and
other amounts.
Required textbook: None :)
(Feel free to donate to your favorite charity instead.)
Required websites:
Fingerspelling course:
http://lifeprint.com/asl101/fingerspelling
Place to learn basic fingerspelling:
http://asl.gs
Place to improve your ability to read fingerspelling:
http://asl.ms
Place to improve your ability to recognize numbers:
http://asl.bz
Cost of Website:
Free!
Examinations and assignments:
All quizzes and exams are cumulative. See schedule for due dates.
For descriptions, see below.
|
Assignments |
Points |
|
|
|
|
Lesson
Quizzes (10 x
50 pts) |
500 |
|
Midterm |
250 |
|
Final Exam |
250 |
|
Total: |
1000 |
Lesson Quizzes:
This is a series of online
quizzes which help inspire you to actually do the lessons.
They will help you review and practice what we are learning in class.
Midterm:
This is a test that is taken in-class. It is "receptive." That
means you will be watching and writing.
You will be shown various spelled words or signed numbers and you will
need to write them down.
Final
exam:
This test is taken by appointment with me.
I'll pass around a sign up sheet a couple weeks prior to the end of the
course. The final exam will have two parts.
1.
Receptive exam: You will be shown various video clips of fingerspelling
and numbers.
2.
Expressive exam: You will show the instructor your mastery of numbers
and fingerspelling through a scripted demonstration as well as random
sampling of the material covered in this course. Details will be
provided on a handout.
Grading:
Total points possible: 1000.
Scale: 100-95%=A, 90 = A-, 87=B+, 83=B, 80=B-, 77=C+,73=C, 70=C-, 67=D+,
63=D, 60=D-, 59=F.
Voicing
Policy:
During certain times of the course this may become a "no-voice class."
I will clearly announce such times. During no-voice times you should keep your voice off and not whisper
nor rely on "exaggerated mouthing."
If another student voices to you during the "no-voice" sessions you should respond as if you couldn't hear
them and ask them (by signing) to communicate with you by signing or
fingerspelling (or even writing on paper or the board). If you ignore this rule, I can reduce your grade,
require you to wear ear plugs, or drop you from class for
participating in voicing either as a participating listener or the one using
voice.
(But, usually I'll just ask you to sit somewhere else.)
Attendance Policy:
Hey, I understand -- "stuff" happens. If your life is full of a lot of
"stuff" -- feel free to miss class.
I will do my part to help out and only take off 3% for each absence.
Since I'm flexible and willing to work with dedicated students I'll let
you make up the absence by working online and taking a makeup quiz to
get that 3% back.
Note: it is really helpful if you can arrange to show up for any in-person
tests. If you miss a test you can make it up by taking a harder
version of it plus doing extra online work.
(Click here for
instructions
►.)
Course environment, etiquette, ethics,
disabilities, and other "fine print."
You may be dropped from class for checking your email
during class or accessing websites other than lifeprint.com, asl.ms, asl.gs, or
asl.bz during class. You may be dropped from class for using your
voice or whispering during class during "no-voice" sessions. No reading newspapers during class or
other distracting behavior. Turn cell phones off, or at least use silent
settings. It is rude as heck to be messing around with your phone while I'm
teaching. If you've got an "important call" coming in then miss class and do
the online makeup work and quiz. If you think you know this stuff so
well that you don't need to pay attention then let's not waste your time --
request the final exam early. I'll give you that score as your grade and get
you on your way. Do not wear baseball caps during quizzes. No videotaping the lecture or bringing
visitors or guests without permission. You are always expected to work
independently on graded quizzes and/or assignments unless specifically directed
otherwise by the me. Assignments turned in late for any reason may
receive no credit. For information on the University's policy regarding cheating
and plagiarism, refer to the Schedule of Courses (Legal Notices on Cheating and
Plagiarism) and the University Catalog (Policies and Regulations). Penalties for
cheating and plagiarism may include having a note placed in your permanent file, receiving an F for a particular assignment,
an F for the course, or expulsion from the university. Students with
disabilities will receive reasonable accommodation for learning and
evaluation upon identifying
themselves to the instructor and the university in a timely fashion. For more
information, contact the office of Services to Students with Disabilities.
This
syllabus and the schedule are subject to change in the event of extenuating
circumstances. If you are absent from class, it is your responsibility to check
on announcements made while you were absent. [My lawyer made me say all that. Sorry.]
Pep talk:
You can do this. I have near infinite patience. I love teaching and
explaining. If you have questions, ask in class or email me with your
first and last name, the hour of your class, and the phrase "RESPONSE
REQUESTED" in the subject line and I'll strive to 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 (sometimes email doesn’t arrive). 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.
