Not quite a blogger

I thought that by setting up a blog and connecting it to my site that I would somehow become a blogger. I figured that since I was already writing about my project and talking about it with people, that blogging would come easy. It ended up becoming one more thing to do when I was already involved with a laborious process so I didn’t make blogging about it a priority. I’m much more apt to be using Twitter and “microblogging” than I am to be writing lengthier posts.

Now that I’ve done the bulk of my project and have an actual piece of paper that says I have earned my MA and completed this major, I have more time to actually communicate to people what it is that I was working on and what I discovered.

I have done all the traveling I am going to do this year. The conferences and trainings are over, now it’s time to slide into the holidays. I’m in wrap up mode getting into the video footage so I can officially end this project and get to my others.

more soon....

Begining the Transition from Analog to Digital at Ohlone

This ended up being a silent video since the audio wasn't very interesting and I don't have the rights to use any music (just yet).

The video is just under 3 minutes and chronicles, in a nutshell, getting the computers out of the box and into the classroom, connected and ready to use.

Learning how to use the applications effectively is another story and is the next chapter in this adventure.

In the few weeks since the computers were unveiled I've created some cheat sheets for the students and instructors to get themselves going with iMovie. They're using that program as the basis for their voice to sign work, and to some extent their sign to voice work too. Aside from getting the process down some students are also having individual troubles, for example, saving to an external hard drive and opening up their .mov on their PCs. One work around they've adopted is emailing files to themselves and even uploading video clips to YouTube. This has great benefits for mentoring, as students can easily show their mentors samples of their work for review and feedback.

I'm only on campus once a week, if that, so I'm unfortunately not able to see the day to day interactions the IPP folks are having with their new equipment. Seems like they're getting their work done one way or another, even if it's a round a about method that was frustrating to figure out. That's part and parcel of being a techno-pioneer. I think overall everyone has been a good sport and is happy to be moving in this digital direction that they're motivated to work through the bumps in the learning curve.

Thanks to everyone who has been toughing it out and making the best of this transitional period, and those of you supporting us. Please keep your tech questions coming. Even if I can't answer them I'll try my best to lead you in the right direction.

Next up...visiting other programs.

-nm-

Reposted Revision

Sunday, April 27, 2008
Revised Abstract

Video analysis of one’s work is an integral component of sign language interpreter training. Most interpreter training programs (ITPs) have a language lab component to their curriculum for students to be able to record and review their practice translations. Using the Ohlone College Interpreter Preparation Program (IPP) in Fremont, California as a case study, this project explores and documents how an ITP transitions from analog to digital video technologies. Like many other training programs, Ohlone has used analog-based VHS equipment since it first became available on a consumer level. Now that digital video technologies are more prevalent and accessible the Ohlone IPP is interested in exploring these new resources. Ohlone IPP is transitioning its language lab from analog to digital with Apple's Intel iMac. This consumer-level computer with built-in video camera and range of basic audio and video applications make it a viable choice as the foundation of their new language lab. Designing and implementation of an inservice training for both instructors and students is an integral component to the lab redesign.

The goals of this project include: redesign of lab infrastructure (hardware, software and furniture), and design and implementation training to guide the instructors and students on how to use the new equipment and workflow. The training consists of an instructor led workshop and a multimedia tutorial. The instructional content is based on current analog practices adapted for a digital environment, already existing applicable tutorials, and information gleaned from other ITP labs using similar technologies.

Interpretopia gets honorable mention

I feel like I have just hit a blogging milestone, I got a shout out on someone else’s site! fromourlips.blogspot.com/2007/01/interpretopia.html


Thanks to all y’all who linked on over to check out this site. These folks are writing a book about how interpreters are changing the world.

That’s how we roll here at interpretopia -- sharing the interpreter love and unity worldwide.

Been absorbed in my final project... you can check it out by clicking on the "research" link to the right.

-nm-

Communicating with Deaf students: Reinforcing verbal info visually-video

Another video vignette in the same series for hearing instructors working with deaf students in their classes. A simple example of how to reinforce verbal information visually. This approach is beyond being an accommodation for an individual student and usually benefits the entire class.

Instructor: Dr. Brian Beatty (Dept. of Instructional Technologies, SFSU)
Interpreter: Lolita White, CI, CT (Staff interpreter SFSU)
Deaf student: Matt Anderson
Students: Paul Carlson, Dee Glaim, Sharif Rashedi, Lin Tran, Joseph "Pepe" Wagnon

Lighting and Camera: Ryan Hildebrandt
Produced and edited by Nicole Montagna

Produced at San Francisco State University
Special thanks to the Instructional Technologies Department and Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Services of the DPRC.

Fun facts:
This was a Deaf/Interpreter collaboration.
Two-thirds of the students in the class are Deaf.
This video was filmed in one day.