Write a commentHigh school students recently made their way around the Rosamond Gifford Zoo in Syracuse, but the trip was unlike one they’d made before.
They were students from American Sign Language (ASL) 102, a course for Oswego County students who are interested in taking up another language and run through the Center for Instruction, Technology & Innovation’s Distance Learning program and Onondaga Community College.
Guided by OCC professor Kimberly Amidon, the group of students worked their way around the zoo, using sign language to converse with each other and to learn the names of dozens of animals.
“I thought it was great,” said Emma Michaud, a senior from Altmar-Parish-Williamstown CSD. “Just going around with our professor and learning the signs, it was a fantastic experience. I would totally recommend it to anybody who does any ASL class, or just wants to learn ASL in general.”
Through CiTi, students from around the county can take up to four semesters of ASL from 101-104 through OCC, and CiTi Distance Learning Specialist Kristin Edwards says many of the credits are transferrable. The best way to get involved with ASL or other Distance Learning opportunities, which Edwards stressed is not “pandemic learning” nor run as many classes were during 2020 and 2021.
“Distance Learning has been around for over two decades and it’s done well, particularly here in our region,” said Edwards. “The programs, professors, and pedagogy are intentional, engaging, and designed to offer options and equity to our community.”
Edwards added the ASL day at the zoo is one of her favorites of the year, describing the day’s events as “magic” as the students use sign language to practice things like expression, emotion, observation and empathy.
For APW’s Michaud, who has taken two ASL semesters via Distance Learning, her work in class has already had practical use in the real world. At her part-time job, she has encountered deaf and hard of hearing people, and her ASL skills have made a world of difference.
“Just the smile on their face, seeing that I can communicate with them it brightens my day,” said Michaud, intends to go to SUNY Oswego in the fall and ASL interpreter is among the career paths she is considering. “I think it’s good to expose yourself because there’s a lot of people out there who don’t understand the deaf community and culture.”
More information on Distance Learning can be found at citiboces.org/distancelearning.
