ASL ASL Curriculum Design & Program Development 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When designing an ASL program for adult learners, which model is most appropriate for structuring course content?
- Andragogy (Knowles' adult learning principles) (Correct answer)
- Childhood language immersion model
- Rote memorization and drills only
- Strict grammar-translation method
Correct answer: Andragogy (Knowles' adult learning principles)
Knowles' andragogy recognizes that adult learners are self-directed, bring prior experience, and need relevance — making it ideal for designing adult ASL programs.
Question 2: A needs assessment at the beginning of ASL program development is conducted to:
- Determine how many students will enroll
- Identify gaps between current and desired learner competencies (Correct answer)
- Select which ASL handshapes to prioritize aesthetically
- Assign instructor workload for the semester
Correct answer: Identify gaps between current and desired learner competencies
A needs assessment identifies the difference between what learners currently know and what they need to know, guiding curriculum priorities and resource allocation.
Question 3: Differentiated instruction in an ASL classroom means:
- Teaching the same material to all students identically
- Adapting content, process, or product to meet diverse learner needs (Correct answer)
- Separating hearing students from hard-of-hearing students
- Offering extra credit only to advanced students
Correct answer: Adapting content, process, or product to meet diverse learner needs
Differentiated instruction involves modifying how content is delivered or how students demonstrate mastery to address varying learning styles, backgrounds, and abilities.
Question 4: Which document formally outlines the philosophy, goals, required courses, and graduation requirements of an ASL program?
- Individual lesson plan
- Program handbook or catalog (Correct answer)
- Student portfolio rubric
- Placement test protocol
Correct answer: Program handbook or catalog
A program handbook or catalog serves as the official document describing the ASL program's structure, philosophy, course requirements, and expectations for completion.
Question 5: When integrating Deaf culture into ASL curriculum, best practice recommends:
- Treating Deaf culture as optional enrichment rather than core content
- Embedding Deaf cultural content throughout all levels of the curriculum (Correct answer)
- Covering Deaf culture only in advanced levels
- Limiting cultural content to a single unit in the final course
Correct answer: Embedding Deaf cultural content throughout all levels of the curriculum
Deaf culture should be woven throughout the entire ASL curriculum rather than siloed, as language and culture are inseparable in authentic second-language acquisition.
Question 6: Formative assessment data gathered during an ASL course should primarily be used to:
- Calculate final grades for transcripts
- Adjust ongoing instruction to better meet student needs (Correct answer)
- Report to state licensure boards
- Rank students within the cohort
Correct answer: Adjust ongoing instruction to better meet student needs
Formative assessments provide ongoing feedback that instructors use to modify their teaching and support student progress before a final evaluation.
ASL ASL Curriculum Design & Program Development 2
When designing an ASL program for adult learners, which model is most appropriate for structuring course content?