Problem: I Have Been Working with Technology for Many Years

Incorporating ASL into Computer Programs

A Master Teacher Problem/Solution Document

By Sharee Darce, Texas School for the Deaf

Problem: I have been working with technology for many years. As a teacher of Deaf students, it is frustrating at times to see a promising piece of software, only to find that the instructions or prompts rely on audition. Especially in the areas of spelling and vocabulary practice, I wanted my students to be able to practice their skills on the computer, but I was unhappy with the programs out there. I have used Spellbound and Spell It Deluxe with some success, but I wanted more choices. Also, I wanted something that would allow my students to see the sign and then require them to spell the word or find it in print.

Solution: I decided to use two different programs to develop my own spelling and vocabulary practice. First, during the summer, I was involved in a curriculum project to develop drawings and short movies for all the Dolch words from pre-primer to third grade. We could then plug these pictures into worksheets and make videotapes of the signs for students to watch and learn. I decided to use these pictures and movies in a program called The Digital Chisel. It is an older program that is no longer made, but we had many copies because it came bundled with many of our Mac's in the past. It has templates which allow you to put in a picture or a movie and then have the student type in the correct response. At the end of the session, the student is given a percent score. Teachers can also link the program to a database which will keep track of the questions students got wrong. This worked well and has been a great way for students to practice Dolch vocabulary.

Since The Digital Chisel is an older program which perhaps will not work when we upgrade to OS X in the near future, I decided I wanted to find something else that would work. That is when I saw Clicker by Crick Software at a TCEA conference. Clicker is a program which combines a word processor with grids, into which pictures, text or movies can be put. I decided I wanted to film my students signing the spelling words because it would make it more interesting and motivating for them. So, I used a Nikon 995 digital camera that had Quicktime capabilities to make 12 brief movies of students signing our spelling words, Then I developed a grid with twelve cells. I inserted a movie into each cell of the grid. I set up the program so that when cell number one is clicked in order to see the movie, it sends the text (1.) to the word processor. Then the student types in the spelling word and hits the return button. When all twelve words have been typed in, the student can put his/her name in and print the page. This works well for spelling practice, or I can have my students take the test right on the computer. It is also a good way for them to match the sign to print for Dolch vocabulary or any other words from a reading story. It's motivating to see themselves in a program and therefore they look forward using the computer to practice.

I enjoy a challenge and look forward to finding other ways to use technology to our advantage and make ASL a meaningful part of our computer use.


Made using The Digital Chisel from Pierian Springs Software

Made using Clicker from Crick Software