Action Learning Plan

1. From the community partner perspective, the purpose would be to develop a reciprocal service-learning relationship with the OSD students, staff, and faculty. This collaboration allows those learning ASL to communicate and build bonds with students in the Deaf community, and it also allows students in the Deaf community to meet new people and experience something different. Overall, it allows us to build a tighter community between OSD and ASL learners at OSU and create a new level of awareness of Deaf education.

2. My individual learning goals consist of taking time to really learn sign language from members of the Deaf community. I will gladly take any adjustments or advice I can get on improving my signing skills. I also want to learn more about Deaf education. Look at how it may differ from hearing education, any gaps or disparities that may exist in the education system, and other notable observations I can make. I hope to be able to answer these questions by the end of this course.

3. My service goals consist of building a strong relationship with the children. I want them to feel comfortable with me, and I want them to know that I respect them and care for them. I want to get to a place where I can help and actively contribute to their education and care. I would love to be able to help the babies with learning baby signs/babble signs. If I leave this service learning opportunity with strong bonds to the children and experience in babble sign, I will be content. Ideally, I would like to continue some level of service/contact with OSD even after the semester. So, I want to build a stable service relationship with OSD that I can continue as well.

Transformational Learning

Empathy

It is important to have empathy with the students and staff that identify with the Deaf community. Empathy creates a deeper understanding and connection with the community.

Learner

I am a learner. Learning and intelligence are essential in expanding myself as a service student. I want to learn more ASL and more about the Deaf community and use what I’ve learned in helpful ways.

Responsible

I have to hold myself responsible and accountable for mistakes like being late, having to miss a day, maybe messing up an activity, etc.

Child-care

I will be working with children, so I believe my child-care skills are very important. Children need people that know how to care for them properly.

ASL fluency

Having completed 3 semesters of ASL, my skills can be used to communicate with children and staff members within the daycare/preschool.

Activist

I am passionate about many social issues, and OSD is such an intersectional place, and I believe activism has a place there. There are many people of different identities, and there are issues, like a lack of funding, that would need an activist mindset.

Playful

I think playfulness is an important skill to have when you’re working with children. All children communicate through play. Play is essential to child development, so being a playful person is very helpful.

Reading

I love to read, and I love reading to children. I believe my ASL and reading skills can be used together in order to entertain children.

Inclusive

There are so many people of different identities at the school who all need to feel included. Being someone who is passionate about inclusion can definitely assist with that.

Mental Health

Mental health is very important to me, and I want to respect the mental health of children and staff. People like to feel as if their mental health matters because it does.