EDUC6062

Sign Language in Education Advanced Practice

10 Units 6000 Level Course

Not available in 2014

Previously offered in 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004

Aims to develop an advanced level of knowledge and a high level of competence in the use of sign language for pedagogical purposes.

Contact hours: 2 hours per week

This course is administered by the RIDBC Renwick Centre. Successful completion of this course may require students to source their own textbooks and attend compulsory lecture days in Sydney. Further details are available from the Distance Education Co-ordinator +61 (02) 9872-0811 or claire.farrington@ridbc.org.au".Attendance on-campus is expected for some components of this course".

Objectives The subject aims to:

(a) assist students to develop an advanced level of knowledge and skill necessary for developing and implementing educational programmes for hearing impaired students who use sign language and/or a natural sign system based on Auslan as their regular language or mode of communication;

(b) allow students the opportunity to develop and demonstrate their understanding of the development of sign language and its use in teaching in bilingual sign/spoken language classroom settings.
Content This subject will operate through a dual approach of lectures/tutorials and practical classes. The practical sessions will comprise activities to develop further competence in the use of sign communication for specific pedagogical purposes. Specially the sessions will involve conversation and vocabulary extension classes and the involvement of students in micro-teaching experiences (teaching peers and/or small groups of deaf students). As part of this component, all students will be expected to participate in an Auslan only week-end to further develop their sign communication skills and sociolinguistic awareness.

The weekly lectures/tutorials will variously focus on case presentations from the micro-teaching experiences and presentations on specific relevant topics by the lecturers. Case presentations will cover a range of topics including questioning approaches and efficacy, story telling, and metalinguistics (specifically, the explanation of English structure and pragmatics in Auslan for English, second language learning children). Lectures/tutorials will cover content including forms of assessment, modifying assessment, modifying classroom techniques and curriculum materials, behaviour management, working with deaf parents, working with deaf professionals and para-professionals in the classroom environment, and managing the physical environment for signing students.
Replacing Course(s) N/A
Transition N/A
Industrial Experience 0
Assumed Knowledge Demonstrated competence in Auslan at a level equivalent to at least that stipulated by the assessment criteria for the Renwick College subject Auslan for Educators 2 or concurrent pursuit of a course of study in Auslan that will result in the development of skills to at least that level within the period of enrolment in the subject.
Modes of Delivery Internal Mode
Teaching Methods Lecture
Tutorial
Assessment Items
Other: (please specify) Assessment of micro-teaching performances. This will be based on the weekly feedback and students own analysis and appraisal of their micro-teaching performances. Students will be required to maintain a log of their own reactions together with the evaluations and feedback of the relevant lecturer. An overall grade will be determined based on quality of performance, extent and application of sign language knowledge, and skill and efficacy in modifying teaching performance in relation to self analysis and extemal feedback.40% Assessment of development of signing skills. 25% Practical assignment on a chosen area of classroom or broader curriculum practice (e.g., presentation of a plan form modification of specific curriculum materials, development and exposition of a strategy for teaching a specific curriculum component through sign language) (3000 words). To allow students to pursue a specific aspect of classroom/curriculum practice in greater detail and to assess written communication skills in this practical area. 35%
Contact Hours Lecture: for 2 hour(s) per Week for Full Term