Proof-of-Learning #2 (week 2)

This week I have been putting a lot of focus on trying to improve my discussion posts. One of the concepts regarding them that I tried to work on specifically was to ask my classmates questions regarding what we were discussing in order to challenge them to expand their perspectives further. I also tried to expand further on the topics we were learning about this week. I felt that I did better at this especially during the online dating conversations.

For our big research project, I have been checking out various technologies that are available to the Deaf community. I am a deaf education major, and the Deaf have a big place in my heart. I'm very passionate about sign language and learning anything associated with the Deaf community as a whole. Much of the research I've been finding I've been at least slightly aware of prior to this class. However, getting the opportunity to expand on this knowledge has been very interesting! I've been learning more about not only the different technologies available to help those who are deaf or hard of hearing to hear, but also the technologies that make communication even easier for them. There are so many! I hadn't really thought about it before, but online communities have opened countless doors that might not be open to you if you have a hearing impairment. Just some of these technologies include: email, facebook, online dating sites, TTYs, and texting.

Something I found particularly interesting this week was our discussion on online dating sites. I found much evidence that online dating is something that many in the Deaf community are interested in as an avenue to find their significant other. One of my roommates is deaf. She wouldn't necessarily be opposed to dating a hearing person, however, they would definitely need to know sign language in order to communicate effectively. While she is proficient at lip-reading, she has told me before that she isn't comfortable with the idea of dating someone who she can't communicate in her most comfortable avenue. (sign language) As understandably important of an issue as that is, it drastically limits who she would consider being in a possible relationship with. Online dating can help her locate men in her age group, who are deaf/hard of hearing or at least know sign language, and who have similar interests to hers. While it's unlikely that she will run into a guy with ALL of those qualifications out on the street or at a club, it is very likely she could meet one using something like eHarmony or some other dating site. Then they could get to know each other better via email, texting, facebook and the other countless avenues available. Eventually they could meet up and see if there is something to the relationship.