GALLAUDET UNIVERSITY ASL & DEAF STUDIES DEPARTMENT

ASL 790 SIGN LANGUAGE TEACHING INTERNSHIP (3)

SPRING 2014

Faculty: Raychelle Harris, Ph.D. Email: Raychelle.Harris@gallaudet.edu

OFFICE HOURS: Since not all of you have the same internship schedule some of you have
classes at night, some of you have classes daily all day long, so it is difficult to establish regular
office hours to accommodate all of your schedules. Instead, heres the best ways to contact me:
1) Text/Vext me at 202-207-6978 keep your video under 1 minute and Ill respond as soon as
I can. This is the quickest route for questions/concerns that require a quicker response.
2) For questions that require longer discussions, find me on Gallaudet e-mail chat list & IM
me. Most of the time, Ill be available, and sometime Ill suggest a better time. From there,
we can chat on IM or we can video!
3) Or we can meet by appointment (email me to schedule a day/time).

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course is the final professional experience in the Sign Language Teaching program and is a
required field experience consisting a minimum of forty-five (45) consecutive teaching hours.
During this experience, the student teacher is mentored by an on-site classroom cooperating faculty
and by an university supervisor. Students with extensive sign language teaching experience, and
with approval of the department, may undertake an on-the-job internship placement without a
cooperating faculty. A required internship portfolio will be developed which includes theoretical
and practical applications and useful teaching techniques.

DEFINITION OF TERMS

On-site faculty: On-site classroom teacher, also called on-site supervisor/professor.
On-the-job intern: Enrolled in ASL 790 and undertaking a paid teaching internship,
without a cooperating faculty present.
Student teacher (intern): Enrolled in ASL 790 and undertaking a student teaching internship
(also called student intern or teaching intern) under the tutelage of a
cooperating faculty.
University supervisor: Gallaudet faculty supervising the student teacher.


PROGRAM STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
Graduates from the MA program in Sign Language Education
I. Will demonstrate theoretical knowledge and display competence in classroom
settings regarding methodological and socio-political issues involved in sign
language teaching, curriculum development and assessment
II. Will produce graduate level Sign Language and English texts that demonstrate
knowledge of and critical inquiry into key concepts in the sign language teaching
field
III. Will recognize the importance of the ASL teacher as a system change agent and
apply this in practice utilizing effective leadership, advocacy, consultation, and
collaboration to influence change on the individual, group, and organizational and
systemic levels
IV. Will demonstrate preparedness to seek and obtain employment as a teaching
professional in the field of sign language education.

Program SLOs
Course Student Learning
Outcomes
Student Learning
Opportunities
Assessment Method I II III IV
Critically synthesize
theoretical and
methodological properties of
sign language teaching
Internship

Self-Assessment
Internship Evaluation

Self-Assessment
Checklist
X X X X
Demonstrate ability to teach
sign language through
evidence of quality planning
and use of curricular and
assessment tools
Self-Assessment

Internship

Internship evaluation
meeting
Self-Assessment
Checklist

Internship Evaluation
X X X X
Attends to and responds to
students in substantive and
supportive ways that scaffold
learning and fit with
individual learning styles
Self-Assessment

Internship

Internship evaluation
meeting
Self-Assessment
Checklist

Internship Evaluation
X X
Exhibit insightful analysis
and reflection of teaching
experience
Self-Assessment Self-Assessment
Checklist
X X X X


COURSE MATERIALS AND READINGS

1) Students are required to obtain all of the materials and readings required in the syllabus
provided by their student teaching internship site.
2) Tips for Faculty Teaching for the First Time (website article)
3) Improving Teaching Effectiveness and Strengthening Student Learning (website article)
4) Chronicle of Higher Education: How Sociable Are You? How Much Does It Matter?
(website article)
5) Chronicle of Higher Education: Todays Faculty: Stressed, Focused on Teaching and
Undeterred by Long Odds (website article)
6) Ton of Tips for Beginning Foreign Language Teachers (website article)
7) ASL University - Teaching ASL: Advice and Tips (website with 80+ separate articles)

*Instructor reserves the right to add new viewings and readings to course as the course progresses in
order to support spontaneous learning and direction of inquiry taken by the course participants.

CREDIT HOUR POLICY COMPLIANCE

ASL 790: Sign Language Teaching Internship course is a non-traditional 3-credit bearing
experience course, which requires a minimum of 112.5 hours of course work.

Academic Activity Hours
Internship Experience 45+
Course Readings and Viewings 10+
Internship Package 5+
Teaching Observation & Debriefing (3) 12+
Lesson Planning & Materials 20+
Internship Self-Evaluation 10+
Internship Journal & Log 12+
TOTAL 114+ hours


GRADING DISTRIBUTION AND LETTER GRADE EQUIVALENT

A+ = 97.6 - 100
A = 93.6 97.5
A - = 89.6 93.5
B+ = 87.6 89.5
B = 83.6 87.5

B - = 79.6 83.5

C + = 77.6 79.5
C = 73.6 77.5
C - = 69.6 73.5
F = 69.5 or below


Note: The grade average you see in your course grading center at the end of the course will
translate into the letter grades above. No end-of-course requests or negotiations for grading
alterations, rounding-off or extra credit will be responded to. Strive to do your best on each
assignment.

Additional Note:
A grade of Incomplete [I] is given only when student performance in a course has been satisfactory,
but the student is unable to complete the requirements of the course. The decision to give a grade of
I is made by the instructor. To be eligible for credit in a course which an I is recorded, students
must complete the requirements of the course by the end of the final day of classes of the following
semester or a date agreed up on in writing with the instructor; otherwise, the grade will
automatically become an F. The student and instructor must provide Registrars Office with written
notification of the agreed upon date before the time limit indicated above (Gallaudet University
Graduate Catalog, p. 54).

For all other questions, concerns, grievances or disputes that are not covered in this syllabus, please
refer to the current University Graduate Catalog: http://www.gallaudet.edu/catalog.html
A B- grade is considered failing according to Gallaudet Graduate Catalog. You can
only receive one B- in your entire program of study and you must have a cumulative
GPA of 3.0 at completion of the program in order to not have to retake the course.
A C+ grade or below grades indicate you have failed the course, and this puts you on
academic probation and possibly qualifies you for academic dismissal from the
program. A C+ or below indicates automatic retake of the course, that is, if you are not
dismissed from the program.
Congratulations! You passed!




GRADING ALLOCATION

! Internship Package Required
o Internship Syllabus
o Internship Contract and Due Dates

! Lesson Plan 20%
o Lesson Plan and Materials

! Internship Observation 20%
o Teaching (15%)
o Self-Assessment (5%)

! Internship Self-Evaluation 20%

! Internship Observation 20%
o Teaching (15%)
o Self-Assessment (5%)

! Internship Journal & Log 20%




INTERNSHIP PACKAGE
During the first day of your internship, you are required to submit your internship syllabus, contract
and due dates.

LESSON PLAN (20%)
Submit a lesson plan for in-depth evaluation and feedback. See lesson plan rubric for requirements.
You can re-submit a lesson plan previously submitted or create a new one.

INTERNSHIP OBSERVATION (40%)
The university supervisor will observe the student teach two times, at different intervals throughout
the semester. Suggested observation times could be 12
th
and 40
th
hour of the interns teaching. The
observation timing can be adjusted, as long as there is sufficient time between observations for the
intern to apply feedback immediately. At least one hour of active teaching will be observed for
each meeting. Active teaching includes introducing new content, discussing the new content,
having students practice and apply the new content as the teacher gives feedback. Having the
students complete a quiz or test is not active teaching. After the observation ends, the intern and the
university supervisor will meet for at least 30 minutes to an hour to debrief.
1) First observation (20%): The first observation will be between the faculty supervisor and
the teaching intern and a classmate who will also participate in the debriefing. The teaching
rubric will consist 15% of the grade, and the self-assessment done during the debriefing will
consist of 5% of the grade. The faculty supervisor will complete the rubric/grade.
2) Second observation (20%): The second observation will be between the faculty supervisor
and the intern, however, the intern will complete the internship rubric, in other words, the
intern will determine his/her own evaluation and grades, with final input and approval from
the faculty supervisor during the debriefing session. The teaching rubric will consist 15% of
the grade, and the self-assessment done during the debriefing will consist of 5% of the
grade.
Special Note: Interns are responsible for testing the internet connection (a wired Ethernet
connection provides the best video quality possible) for a live observation via videochat software
(e.g. GoogleHangouts). See Internship Evaluation rubric for more details.

INTERNSHIP SELF-EVALUATION (20%)
Film yourself teach for at least several hours, and:
o Self-Evaluation: Pick five clips from your teaching video that you thought you did
well, and five clips that you could improve.
! Recommended format: Keynote, with two video clips side by side (your
teaching clip and your commentary). Be sure to click on Inspector, on
Quicktime tab, then place a check mark on start movie on click so both
movies will not be running when we open your presentation. I have two
eyes, but only can look at one video at a time " See example below. See
internship self-assessment rubric for more details.











Special Note: The feedback given to you during your first observation will need to be applied to
your second self-assessment, and the feedback given to you at the first observation and your self-
assessment will need to be applied to your third observation. Reviewing your feedback from your
university supervisor and applying them to subsequent evaluations is an important part of the
teaching internship experience.




INTERNSHIP JOURNAL & LOG (20%)

Journal: Students are expected to summarize their internship experience on a regular basis in
English through a journal log provided by this course. Including photos and videos in your journal
and log are encouraged. A blank sample journal & log is attached.

Log: Your on-site internship faculty verifies your attendance by adding their signature to the
right column. At least 45 practicum observation hours are required. This does not include
transportation, meetings with cooperating teacher, or lesson planning/assessment outside of the
classroom/site. If your practicum course happens to fall slightly under 45 hours, talk to me about
how you plan to meet the 45-hour requirement. A few hours of out-of-class tutoring or hosting an
ASL activity are examples of acceptable ways to help meet the 45-hour requirement for this
course. An automatic withdraw-failing (WF) grade for the course will be granted to students who
are unable to verify at least 45 hours of observation.


POLICIES AND PROCEDURES:

1. Professionalism: As an intern, you are representing Gallaudet University, creating a relationship
between your internship site and Gallaudet. You are paving the way for other potential, future interns.
A crucial component for a successful internship experience is punctuality and rigorous attendance for
all internship classes. Other equally important components of a successful internship experience
include professional attire and collegiality, and most importantly, dedication to teaching, the
curriculum and your students.

2. Attendance Policy: If you are to be late to (or miss a class), you are to follow the policies at your
internship site, and to notify your cooperating faculty (if you have one) and your university supervisor
immediately. If you do not notify your university supervisor of your tardiness or absence(s), and your
university supervisor finds out from your internship site supervisor, you will receive an automatic F
for the course (see academic integrity policy below for more details). If this absence affects your
contract and due dates, please revise immediately and resubmit with the required signatures.

3. Academic ASL/English: Use academic ASL/English in your assignments throughout the semester.
You are required to submit edited assignments. Visit Tutorial & Instructional Program for
opportunities to improve your work before submission. They require advance notice for submissions.
Professional academic discourse requires giving credit to original authors for their ideas, so citations
are required. For more details, please see the academic integrity policy listed below.

4. Assignment Submissions: Once you submit your work, the work will be graded as is. There are no
other opportunities for revisions in this course, as it is the final professional experience of your
graduate studies. Your first evaluation may be a learning experience, and you are encouraged to apply
what you learn from your first evaluation towards your second and third for an improved grade.

5. Late Submissions: The contract you developed is to be followed meticulously. For late submissions,
one full grade will be deducted each 24 hours past the due date (10 points).

6. Video Submissions: University supervisor reserves the right to give a major
deduction or a zero for video submissions that are subpar in quality (e.g. the
left side of your body is not visible, the focus is off, or constant unnecessary
camera movement), and/or unedited submissions. Try to include the full
classroom so interaction between students and you can be seen. Assure your students the video will
not be shown to anyone but your University supervisor. If you decide to use portions of your
internship video publicly (e.g. Teaching Sample for your ASLTA certification and/or website
portfolio), you will need to have your students agree to and sign a release form to be developed
between you and your on-site supervisor. A sample contract can be found here:
http://www.gallaudet.edu/documents/publicrelations/imagereleaseform.pdf Please feel free to revise
for your classroom.

7. Internship Contract Revisions: Understandably, emergencies may happen which may inadvertently
alter the dates in your contract. Talk to your University supervisor immediately to see if your request
will be approved. This option is to be used only in emergencies (e.g. death in the family,
hospitalization). It is possible an incomplete for the course will be suggested.



University Policies
All university policies may be found in the Graduate Catalog. The standards of professional
behavior and communication discussed in the catalog will be mandated in this course and program.

Academic Integrity Policy
Students must familiarize themselves with the Gallaudet University Graduate School Academic
Integrity Policy as printed in the Graduate School Catalog in the above link or in the printed catalog
and begins on page 23.

Academic Accommodation Policy
Students have the responsibility of formally requesting accommodation through the Office for
Students with Disabilities (OSWD) at the beginning of the semester. Gallaudet university is in
compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and this statement can be found in the
Graduate Catalog or the above link and begins on page 7.