BSL mini course - Week starting 27/02/14

Monday - 3pm - 4pm

Tuesday - 2pm - 3pm

Wednesday - 3pm - 4pm

Week number 4 has arrived quickly, at long last I located a video for this week's Prezi. 

It's an element from the feedback that I was particularly keen on addressing. It's not that I didn't want to utilise video, the problem has been trying to find a suitable clip. The internet is full of content... Suitable content, that is a whole different kettle of fish.

I found that combining the flash cards and linking it to a small video clip was very effective. I have previously discussed the benefits of flash cards. The video session had several positives associated with it.

1. It built confidence within the students... rather than thinking " I hope I never meet a deaf person, I won't know what they are saying...", they were able to prove to themselves that they can read a person and comprehend what was being said.
2. It affords an opportunity for students to see someone else sign rather than just their tutor. They get to see regional variations and signing styles in action.
3. Using a visual medium they can more easily identify new vocabulary and technical skills - with this week's clip we identified the use of "placement" in a conversation, which we put into practice later on. 
4. It's also an effective way to reinforce what was learnt previously in class.

Areas for improvement :

Looking at the seating arrangement in class, I noticed that when class exercises involved group interaction, the table arrangements often hindered the students from mingling effectively. This can reduce the opportunities to practice what they have learnt and for the more reluctant student, it presents them with an opt out to the exercise. 

Perhaps the better option would be to have the tables away and set the seats in a horseshoe, allowing everyone to get around easily and still see each other as they sign.