20 Time: Update

As of today, I have not done much since the last post. Things got a little crazy with other classes and preparation for my AP Gov test, this got pushed aside. I have done a little bit in regards to my planning out of what I am going to say/show in my video. I am struggling because certain words I haven't learned and it's a struggle to find. I am hoping to be able to sketch out exactly what I want to say and start recording by Thursday.

20 Time: Update

Today is May 4, and as of now, I am creating my outline for how I want my presentation to go. Last week, I finished my online class, and have the certificate to prove it. That class helped me a ton and it was definitely worth the $30. Within these next two weeks, I hope to finalize what I want to say, learn any terms I'm not too confident on and then record. In my video, I plan to do an introduction about myself, but then also teach some of the basics of ASL. I'm hoping this goes smoothly, but I'm not sure what will happen.

20 Time: Update

At this point in my ASL learning experience, I have one more lesson and then I just need to record myself saying some fun facts about me. I am still trying to nail down presentation aspect of this, but I am moving along smoothly. I should be able to be all done both of these things within the next week as long as I don't procrastinate. I am hoping that I will be able to do my introductions within a few tries because it would take days if I don't nail it down. I feel like I am behind where I wanted to be right now, but I will be able to catch up.

20 Time: Update

This past week, I did't get to accomplish very much. My online class website was down and I lost a lot of time and couldn't do anything. I did get in contact with them and got the class extended 10 days which was super helpful. I plan to get a lot done this week.

Right now, I am still working on completing my class, which is going well now that the website is back up. I am making progress, but I still have a lot of work to do.

When I finish my class, I plan to put together a short video of me introducing myself using only ASL. I wanted to have a conversation with a deaf person, however, because of COVID-19, I can no longer do that.


Here's me in my class!!!!

20 Time: Update

As of today, March 24, I am 1/3 of the way through my online ASL course and plan to get a lot done within the upcoming week. The course I have selected teaches me a lot about the background and very very basic ASL communication, so I haven't learned a ton about a conversation and I am not sure if I will. I plan on finding more apps fro my phone that will help me get a conversation.

The COVID-19 pandemic that we are going through right now has actually helped my project. I know have a lot of time at home and a lot of free time so I just go on my class and grind out some lessons. Since I do everything from home, online, it makes this class even easier than when we were in school doing it. I haven't had to make any adjustments due to it and I am enjoying the process.

20 Time: Elevator Pitch

Problem/Target Statement: Roughly 500,000 people throughout America and Canada use ASL as their primary language. As Americans, we always seem to want people to adapt to our ways. However, why don't we adapt to the deaf as they make many adaptions to get along in the world?

It Gets Worse: If people don't learn the ways of the deaf community, we will just continue to exclude them in an era of inclusion.

Glimmer of Hope: If more people know ASL, there will be people start to feel included after struggling everyday. I know personally, if I learn, I will be able to open my eyes to a different culture. 

Novel Situation: If I learned ASL I could teach other people and allow for those to feel more included. I personally would just feel more capable of loving others when/if I learned ASL.

Credible Authority: I have purchased an online class that is allowing me to learn the basics.

Vision: I plan to put together a video of me learning and practicing my new skills. This is all so that people can see what I've learned and see that it's not as hard as it seems.

20 Time Proposal: Learning Sign Language

Learning the basic levels of sign language to be able to communicate with a wide range of people. 

Needs and Opportunities 
When my godmother was in the hospital shortly before her passing, she taught herself a modified sign language because it was too hard for her to speak. There are roughly 1,000,000 people in the United States who are deaf and rely on sign language to communicate. Majority of the population cannot truly communicate with these people, and I want to become one of those people who can hold a basic level conversation.

Audience/Clients/Users
I hope to reach the deaf community to show that people do care. I want to be able to add just one more person to the world who can communicate with them so they know that their needs matter.

Time Line
By March 15 I will have done more research about how many people use sign language and what benefit it has on the human brain.

By April 15 I will have finished my online sign language course and should be able to hold a basic conversation.

By May 15 I will have a compilation of me learning sign language put together and will finish reviewing my new skills.

Product/End Result 
In the end I will demonstrate a basic level conversation and will present a video of me learning each night/day. I will also attempt to consult with a deaf person.

Resources
I have my online class through International Open Academy and I wish to meet with one of my Mom's deaf clients. I just need to be consistent with my practice and always stay caught up.

Conclusion 
I am looking forward to learning something new and opening up my mind to a new way of life. I am hoping to understand the basics of sign language and be able to have a very minimal conversation with one who is deaf.