SBIR-STTR Award

This Phase I project will consist of a feasibility study in preparation for a Phase II project in which a complete 20-hour sign language videocourse will be produced reflecting the entry level skills, learning styles, learning preferences, and sign-processing strategies of hearing adult beginning learners. The primary hearing populations for this instruction are (a) current and prospective teachers and service providers of deaf and hard-of hearing students who do not have sign skills commensurate with the communication requirements of the students they will teach, and (b) family members who are unable to communicate well enough to facilitate the appropriate linguistic and social development of these deaf and hard-of-hearing children and youth. The four technical objectives of Phase I are: (1) design all the components of a comprehensive sign language product to provide effective instruction to hearing adult beginning learners of sign language, (2) conduct a formative evaluation throughout the design and development phases, which will include a subjectmatter and an instructional internal review, (31 produce two 20-minute prototype lessons, and (4) conduct a formative evaluation of the prototype lessons. Tasks for each of these objectives will be accomplished during the six-month duration of the project.

Anticipated Results/Potential Commercial Applications of Research:
:The results of the formative evaluation of the prototype lessons in Phase I will provide the instructional foundation for all of the design and production tasks undertaken during Phase II. The 20-hour videocourse and accompanying print materials produced as a result of a Phase II effort are anticipated to increase significantly the sign language skills of hearing adult beginners beyond the levels that existing sign language materials and pedagogies are currently achieving with these learners. The improved sign skills of the targeted learners should translate into major developmental benefits for deaf and hard-of-hearing students, while in school, and well beyond into their own adulthood.In addition to the primary market identified in the technical abstract, potential users of the sign language videocourse include junior college, college, and university students enrolled in courses on ASL as a foreign language; rehabilitation specialists and individuals undergoing rehabilitation for conditions such as aphasia; government and private sector workers with deaf and hard-of-hearing coworkers; mentally retarded persons and teachers and aides working with mentally retarded persons; and persons with dyslexia and other learning disabilities.

During the Phase II project, The Masters Group will produce the components of a Sign Language videocourse of instruction reflecting the entry level skills, learning s styles, learning preferences, and sign-processing strategies of hearing adult beginning learners supported by formative evaluation results of two prototype instructional video lessons in Phase I. The three technical objectives of Phase II are: (1) to design and produce components of a comprehensive sign language videocourse to provide effective instruction to hearing adult beginning learners of sign language; (2) to conduct a formative evaluation throughout the design and development phases consisting of internal reviews by subject-matter specialists, instructional design specialists, and representatives of the target population; and (3) to translate all video instruction from a linear video format into a non-linear CD-ROM format. Tasks for each of these objective will be accomplished during the 24-month duration of the project.Summary Of Anticipated Results And Implications:The results of the proposed Phase II project will be (1) twenty-four lessons of a 15-hour videocourse; (2) a student manual; and (3) all course materials in CD-ROM format for random access of all videocourse instruction. The project will complete the feasibility and R&D efforts begun in the Phase I project and will prepare for a Phase III project in which the instructional products will be marketed and sold. The 15-hour videocourse and parallel CD-ROM materials are anticipated to significantly increase the sign language skills of hearing beginners beyond the levels that existing sign language materials and pedagogies are currently achieving with these learners. The improved sign skills of the targeted learners should translate into major developmental benefits for deaf and hard-of-hearing students, while in school, and well beyond into their own adulthood. The primary targeted audience for these materials are current and prospective teachers, service providers and family members of deaf and hard-of-hearing students. In addition, potential users of the sign language videocourse include junior college, college, and university students enrolled in ASL as a foreign language; rehabilitation specials and individuals undergoing rehabilitation for conditions such as aphasia; government and private sector workers with deaf and hard-of-hearing coworkers; mentally retarded persons and teachers and aides working with mentally retarded persons; and person with dyslexia and other learning disabilities.