Contact Information
- Sam Slike sslike@bloomu.edu
- Pam Berman pberman@bloomu.edu
Supporting Deaf People 2008
Using Wimba to Provide Equal Access of Information to Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students in On-line Courses
On February 8th, Dr. Sam Slike and Ms. Pam Berman from Bloomsburg University demonstrate using live web casting supported by closed captioning and an interpreter, to provide online course content.
Supporting Deaf People 2008 Online Conference
PowerPoint for SDP 2008
Archive of Presentation
Wimba Desktop Lecture Series
Providing Equal Access of Information to Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students in Online Courses - Presentation 2
Presented by: Dr. Sam Slike & Pam Berman, Bloomsburg University
When: March 24, 2008 : 2pm - 3pm EST
Archived Version of March 24th Presentation
Dr. Sam Slike, a professor at Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, discusses his use of Wimba to provide college courses to deaf and hard of hearing students. His innovative courses use a sign language interpreter broadcast through a web cam (and simultaneously broadcast via a Sorenson videophone); closed captioning of spoken lecture material via Caption Colorado; PowerPoint slides; text chat; and spoken lecture. His presentation will provide an overview of the deaf/hh population; general challenges encountered in providing equal access of information for this group of individuals; and creating an online course for deaf/hh and hearing students using Wimba as the delivery tool.
Read the article about Dr. Slike and Berman in Campus Technology Magazine: http://campustechnology.com/articles/56259/
PowerPoint for March 24th Presentation
Providing Equal Access of Information to Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students in Online Courses
Presented by: Dr. Sam Slike & Pam Berman, Bloomsburg University
When: January 8, 2008 : 2pm - 3pm EST
Dr. Sam Slike, a professor at Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania will discuss his use of Wimba to provide college courses to deaf and hard of hearing students. His innovative courses use a sign language interpreter broadcast through a web cam (and simultaneously broadcast via a Sorenson videophone); closed captioning of spoken lecture material via Caption Colorado; PowerPoint slides; text chat; and spoken lecture.
Read the article about Dr. Slike and Berman in Campus Technology Magazine: http://campustechnology.com/articles/56259/
This presentation will provide an overview of the deaf/hh population; general challenges encountered in providing equal access of information for this group of individuals; and creating an online course for deaf/hh and hearing students using Wimba as the delivery tool.
PowerPoint
Photo of Class Setup
Two cameras are pointed at the interpreter; one for the video through Wimba (by the videophone screen) and one for the Sorenson videophone (on the red book). The broadcast of the video through the webcam becomes part of the "archive" of the class.
The videophone provides instant access of information between the Deaf student, the interpreter and ultimately the professor. This avoids the lag time of the Deaf student typing text. This technique also ensures that the Deaf participant does not miss lecture material.
When hard of hearing students are taking the class it was determined that one interpreter must "mirror" what the Deaf student is signing while another interpreter "voices" for the Deaf student. This provides total access of information for hard of hearing students who don't know sign language.
Feedback from Hard of Hearing Students
Feedback 1
In having class online using Wimba, several strengths and weaknesses have emerged. I think the biggest strength for this program is that it is Deaf/HOH user friendly. Students can depend on the interpreter if they use sign language or if they do not use sign language, they can depend on the captioning which is provided through the chat room. Another strength of this program is that with the captioning being archived, it is great to be able to ask to get a copy of the conversation and have exactly what the conversation said. It isn't changed in anyway and it isn't abbreviated in any way. I think, though, that the program has some weaknesses as well. I don't like how the texted conversation is in the same place as the captioning because it makes it very hard to read when I am looking at the interpreter. If I want to read a comment that was said a little bit ago I can't because the captioning keeps pulling the screen back down no matter how much I scroll up. I also think the interpreting screen can be minutely slow and definitely grainy. Sometimes I won't even realize the screen has stopped until it starts again and I realize I missed what the interpreter signed. The graininess of the interpreting screen can also make it hard for me to distinguish some of the fingerspelling. I think over all, even with these tiny problems, it is amazing that we have anything like this to even look at so this program is definitely worth keeping. I understand that technology can sometimes go haywire and so the graininess and captioning is done to the best ability it can be. I just suggest that the interpreter continue to sign what the person on the VP [video phone] is signing for everyone else to see while the other interpreter voices. It makes it easier for me to not have to wait for the captioning.
I think this course is different in that is really is deaf/HOH user friendly. I have heard from others who take online courses and they have nothing like this class. This is definitely worth the time and effort put into it!
Feedback 2
WIMBA is a great program to use for an online course for various reasons. It allows you to see the closed captioning. The closed captioning helps you not to miss any messages from the professors and most importantly, students. Sometimes it's hard to hear what the students are saying, especially in a big class. WIMBA also provides a video that allows you to watch an interpreter. This is very helpful for deaf and/or hard of hearing students. When a student doesn't have the desire to go to class, they have a hard time focusing and learning the materials. WIMBA helps students enjoy class more by letting them sit in their apartment instead of sitting in a classroom. As a hearing impaired student, I feel I'm learning more and know what's happening in the classroom. When I miss what the person is saying, I tend to get frustrated. The students' questions or comments would show in a text box. I'm getting all the information that I should be getting.
Feedback from Hearing Students
Feedback 3
When I logged onto our first class, I couldn't believe what technology can do! I was so amazed that not only could we hear the instructor talking, but we could also see an interpreter, respond through a microphone, respond through text, and see the slides! I think this course has been a success in many ways. Most of the time, everything works out smoothly and goes great. When there is a problem, I admire the way that the instructor adjusts and modifies to make things better. When power goes out, I think it's great that the lesson missed is repeated and there is time taken out to make sure everything is back to normal. For example, last class, February 5th, someone was frustrated that they could not hear the instructor. The instructor made a comment that he would type everything to modify to her problem. It's also good that there is a set room that we are invited to if there is a problem with someone's computer. Getting contact via e-mail and blackboard has been going good too. There could always be problems with technology today since it is very unpredictable. I always feel comfort in knowing that this class will do all they can do to help us succeed. This course is very different from other classes in obvious ways, such as having class at home and communicating via internet, but the best difference is this class offers many wonderful opportunities for deaf and hard of hearing students to be successful. It gives many ways to better understand the lessons (interpreter, text) and to adjust any difficulties they may be having. I hope this class keeps going the way it's been, I think it's wonderful!
