Facilities
Students in the American Sign Language Program make use of a wide range of facilities that support their study of ASL and Interpretation, as well as enhance their overall education.
Northeastern's Media Center has an extensive videotape collection in the area of ASL, Deaf Culture and ASL/English Interpretation. The Media Center's extended hours of operation means that students can access the video collection eighteen hours a day, seven days a week. Instructors frequently place assigned videotapes on reserve at the Media Center. Students can then use the quad carrels to view any assigned videotape or any videotape they might wish to view.
In addition to the Media Center video collection, the ASL Program maintains its own extensive collection consisting of several hundred ASL, Deaf Culture and Interpretation videotapes. Students can view any of these tapes in the ASL Language Lab, located in the ASL Office area or, in some cases, they can check out selected videotapes.
Certain classes in the ASL Program require that students produce videotaped reports and essays as part of course assignments or examinations. Students can contact the A/V department on campus to borrow videotaping equipment. However, the ASL Program's Language Lab also doubles as a fully equipped videotaping facility. Students can schedule a time to use the lab for their various ASL and interpretation assignments and exams. The Program also has several videotape cameras which students can borrow to videotape in other locations.
Classes in the Consecutive Interpreting course and the first Simultaneous Interpreting course are held in the Media Center's Language Lab. Carrels in the Lab have been equipped to allow students to audio tape their interpretations of videotapes broadcast over the system. A number of carrels are interactive video carrels. Not only can students videotape their interpretations, but also using picture-in-picture capability, students can videotape several of their interpretations of the same material over time. Students and instructors can then compare these interpretations and have a clear sense of the student's progress as well as any areas that need to be addressed.
Students in the Interpretation classes are also required to use the ASL Program's interactive video carrels for course assignments and exams. In addition to the Program's interactive carrels located in the Media Center, the ASL Program also has an interactive video carrel located in its offices. This carrel, which is also available for student use, enables instructors to develop, select and test material they may wish to use for their courses.