That Roger ASL

Photo from Weforum.or g I remember around 2006 when I first learnt people could get Bachelor's Degree by doing courses by correspondence at Athabasca University in Alberta, I was extremely skeptical that it was legit! Now I realize that Athabasca University was simply the "first Canadian University to specialize in Distance Learning" ( Wikipedia ) and that my skepticism was only because it was a new concept to me.  Since then, Online Learning (synonymous with Distance Learning) has gained traction as a viable route for formal post-secondary education. In the last couple years enrollment globally has more than doubled, due to the Coronavirus Pandemic.   These 3 charts show the global growth in online learning The pandemic changed how the world looks at online education! When I do a Google Search "ASL Classes Online", I get results of many different online learning options within BC and Canada. I see that even now, online learning is an option even when the educat...

Photo from Newsweek.com ASL (American Sign Language) got a lot more exposure over the last couple years thanks to the Coronavirus Pandemic and the movie "CODA" Oscar win for Best Picture of 2022.  As a result, a lot more people are now interested in learning ASL.  ’It’s becoming more popular’: interest in ASL grows due to its visibility during pandemic During the coronavirus pandemic, there were constant updates in all major cities in North America. A lot of press briefings had ASL interpreters visible on screen- so that the information being shared was accessible to Deaf people. Because the press briefings were so frequent, ASL interpreters got a lot of screen-time, so people were exposed to ASL whenever they wanted to get updates on the pandemic. 'CODA' Oscar Wins Sent Sign Language Searches Skyrocketing in U.S. At the 2022 Academy awards, the movie "CODA" won Best Picture and also Troy Kostur won for Best Supporting Actor. The movie "CODA" featu...

Photo from Madi Bennett I was born Deaf and grew up understanding the world through my primary language of ASL (American Sign Language), which I used to acquire my second language of English. My educational journey consists of both Deaf and Hearing Worlds.  Note: "Hearing" indicates people and spaces that are not Deaf and the majority do not know ASL. In the Hearing World, an ASL Interpreter is necessary for access. - Attended Deaf Preschool - Deaf School, From Kindergarten to Grade 2 - Hearing Elementary School for Grade 3, with Interpreter - Deaf School, Grade 4 to 7 - Hearing High-school, Grade 8-12, with Interpreter - Deaf University (Gallaudet University) for 2 years - Hearing Institute of Technology (BCIT) for 2 years, with Interpreter   - Currently taking courses at a Hearing College (VCC), with Interpreter For me personally, being in the Deaf World where I can use my native language of ASL has been the best experiences of my educational journey. However, access to...

Why have I started a blog?! I am working towards my goal of working full-time as an Instructor within the Deaf community. To improve my knowledge and skills as an Instructor, I am doing the PIDP (Provincial Instructor Diploma Program) at VCC (Vancouver Community College).  As part of my PIDP coursework, I am to create and maintain a blog, documenting my educational journey.  So, here we are! *** About the name "That Roger ASL" "That Roger" is a play on the affirmative phrase "Roger That", which amuses me every time I see it. The word ASL (American Sign Language) is also added to the title of my blog, to emphasize the core of my identity as person whose primary language is ASL. While the majority of entries in this blog will be in English and demonstrates my proficiency in the use of the language; I assure you I am much more fluent in ASL.  Since 2007 I have been an avid Vlogger, and I am known in Deaf groups online and the local community for being a ASL V...