Blog/Software/Website Title: Teach Me Sign Language
Website URL: http://teachmesignlanguage.com/category/weekly-sign-videos/
Grade/Age Level: 2nd grade (able to read) - adult
Language & Content:
When I first came upon this blog, I found the content very helpful and informative for those who want to learn ASL (American Sign Language) and find helpful external resources to facilitate their knowledge in this language. This site directs their audience to various places (such as links to ASL dictionary, ASL fingerspelling, ASL classes in the New Hampshire area, ASL events etc.) and the site provides weekly videos that teach new words in ASL. This site provides the external resources on one page, http://teachmesignlanguage.com/online-resources/learning-sign-language-online-resources-for-beginners/, which is extremely resourceful for beginners. Again, there are video accompanied with the resources found on each link, (how to fingerspell, ASL dictionary words), therefore you feel that you are being assisted in every way if you are a beginner trying to master ASL. Fingerspelling and ASL dictionary are two very important fundamental resources that must be used when learning ASL, therefore these resources are extremely helpful. If a beginner learner or just one who wants to further their knowledge in ASL comes upon this site, they will feel a sense of strong support due to the amount of videos accompanied with the author’s written instructions in following her directions when learning new words. The target audience also feels comfortable and well taught when looking through this blog, due to the helpful external resources provided and if one lives in the New Hamphsire area, classes that are available to assist you. This site is directed to English speaking or ASL LL, as all the content is written in English, and the author speaks in English to the audience. When watching the videos that teach you new words, you may leave a feedback through comment link found next to each video. The layout of this site is very user friendly, as you may easily navigate from page to page and find your place in the blog. The layout is very clear and well spaced; therefore it is not cluttered and confusing. Each tab is clearly labeled with what content is found under that page. The blogs strengths include, clear formatting, well informed external resources, clear instructions in learning ASL through weekly demonstration videos, and helpful class information for those willing to learn ASL in the New Hampshire area. She may improve her blog by having her videos divided into categories on the weekly videos tab, and then the user can click the category (for example: sports) and then a user can see all the videos she has done on sports, etc.
Excellent review, Khadija. This was a nice site. Very well- and simplistically-laid-out. I really like the separate page for all of the external resources; it makes finding additional support much much less of a hunt-and-gather sort of operation.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing! This would come in really great for both deaf students just learning and hearing students wanting to start to bridge the gap between the two communities.