Video Conferencing as a tool in Deaf Education

Blog three..and my project has not started as yet but I am getting very close to get all set up.  Several hitches, NEFSIS (the video conferencing software that my organization has purchased) is not compatible with my mac so I had to decide on if to invest in windows and a parallel software to get it to work or to get my company to provide me with working  relative up-to-date PC. So we have decided on the latter choice due to related costs. So hopefully I will begin this week by first trying out the software myself and then teaching my students how to navigate it as well.


In the mean time while I wait for my technical issues to be resolved I did some more digging and found another article written by Lynette Johnson "Utah Deaf Videoconferencing Model: Providing Vocational Services Via Technology"  In this article the notes

      "Rural areas often face limited services when working with clients who are Deaf and hard of hearing. Some of these limitations may include a lack of interpreters, lack of social resources, and a lack of cultural, language, and legal understanding on the part of the service provider. These limitations are addressed and possible answers are explored through the use of the Utah Deaf Videoconferencing Model."


This is one of the major reasons why this technology is so vital to Deaf learners...Our organization may not necessarily follow this model but I will explore it as a possible option and possibly use some get some collaboration and partnership opportunities going.

The research and an example

So here is my second blog and believe it or not the use of videoconferencing in Deaf Education though it seems like such a natural fit as a distance learning tool , I have not been able to find a lot of research on the topic or examples of it being widely used. 

After some searching I found this article that very informative, it was written by B. Patton, in 2007 titled Distance Education Brings Deaf Students, Instructors and Interpreters Closer Together.   Patton cites a 1999 work by Hubbard which states that “Education of the deaf can benefit from distance learning fully as much, if not more, as education of the hearing ” In this environment there is an integration text captions and signed videotaped lectures the article further states that

. . . most deaf and hard of hearing respondents felt that the on-line learning format provided important communication-related advantages. Compared to a more traditional class, students were less dependent on interpreters to capture the important concepts in class and then present them in sign, in a way that was comprehensible to the student"

Below  is an example of how videoconferencing is used in the Deaf community ...the Z4, which is a software that I often use, and had the opportunity to have one of my students join us from Florida when she had a function. 

You will need to copy and paste in a browser as this video does not seem to work in a hyperlink format.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_D6BAd8lTc 

I really love using videoconferencing for with my students and can see the potential to use this feature for the Deaf in my country and other islands of the Caribbean.  

Well this is my first ever blog ...so no quite sure how all this will work.  Anyway I am so enthusiastic about the use of videoconferencing in Deaf education..I will be using a software created by Nefsis This a relatively new concept but makes so much sense what better way for the deaf to be involved in distance learning than with the use of their first language ASL. Having the support of a teacher using ASL in a videoconference but with options for white board, chat, and powerpoint presentations all in the comfort of their own homes.  
I came across this article that talked about a research project that was being done on the vary same topic in 1999.... it was from Gateshead College and they conducted case study the goal was to" explore and develop the use of videoconferencing for Deaf adults" The study worked within a college to determine what information and language for teaching and learning Deaf learners was needed. This project specifically showed the relevance to the specific needs of the Deaf.  It said that "Videoconferencing gave the Deaf  an opportunity to use their first language for teaching and learning." Sutherland, A. & Padden, T. (1999). Further research has revealed many more recent studies.


I am very excited as I begin this process it works so well in a hearing classroom I look forward to this experience and will document my progress in this forum this will be a first in MN.


Hope that you will enjoy my updates and progress.