The Centre for Deaf Studies is a leader in e-learning development for the fields of Deaf Studies and sign language learning.
SignShared is an ongoing development by University of Bristol Centre for Deaf Studies to bring the power and potential of the on-line learning experience to sign language learning.
Using Adobe Flash and Adobe Integrated Runtime (AIR) technology, SignShared is a new suite of innovative learning environment tools with sign language at the heart of it. Social software, e-assessment and live events technology where educator/learner content is synchronous or asynchronous streams of signed content.
Our Course Management System (CMS) MOODLE has been specially developed to allow e-learning content normally only available in written English to be delivered in British Sign Language Learning (BSL), broadening the accessibility to Deaf staff and students, removing reliance on written language skills and ensuring continuity with the Centre's teaching and communication policy.
Signlab is the Centre’s specialist Sign Language Learning Suite. Signlab is furnished with 9 widescreen iMac computers and 6 eMac computers. Each computer has a high quality microphone and web camera. Each computer is equipped with specialist digital video and audio recording software.
This software has been developed by the Centre for Deaf Studies and provides students and lecturers with the means to rapidly create video content for assessment purposes. Students are also able to overdub video onto audio or audio onto video for interpreting classes.
Another key feature of this software is that lecturers can record assessment feedback and insert it into the student’s original assessment video at different points, allowing critical feedback at specific points of a signing sequence.
This software is also purchasable from the Centre for Deaf Studies. For more information email: enquiries-cds@bristol.ac.uk.
The Centre is developing rich-media Deaf awareness e-learning courses. These courses will be made available online exclusively through our MOODLE CMS or purchasable by external organisations for use on their own Learning Management Systems (LMS). These new courses will provide workplace based learners with a flexible alternative to conventional instructor-led training.
