Day 31: A Personal Observation on Deaf Learning During Lectures

It's the 31st day of my ICS Volunteering Journey and also the Day 2 of our Leadership Training Seminar (LTS). 

Human Knot Day II

Roles of Officers and Members. Janice, the Assistant Volunteer Placement Supervisor (AVPS), discussed about the topic. It is very crucial for the participants to know about what is expected to them as members and officers.

Leadership Attitudes. Michelle Gabisan, the CAD Adviser and the Volunteer Placement Supervisor, shared about the difference between a Leader and a Boss. A leader is someone who keeps climbing the ladder even though how many times he/she might fall.

Participants are excited for the challenge. Bring it on!

Team Building Day II. Aside from the Human Knot that they did again today, Mike facilitated an activity on team building using eggs. It was very challenging for everyone on how they will make like a container or parachute to cover their egg and prevent it from breaking. 

Jera (wearing glasses) turning over
their egg for the egg drop challenge

Financial Management. We also invited Philip, an ICS Volunteer who is an accountant, to talk about financial literacy. It took about 2 hours to finish his lecture. It was a very technical lecture but, it is very important to understand especially for organizational development.

Philip (wearing white) and Raemar (VSO-ICS volunteer
Interpreter) on the lecture about Financial Management

 It is indeed quite a very long day but I observed few things on how the Deaf learns best during lectures:
1. Don't let them write down anything while lecturing. Their eyes are their ears.
2. Always give examples. It can help them understand and gain insights.
3. Ask questions to follow up if they are with you.
4. They have their great ideas, You just have to encourage them to share.
5. Conduct workshops or activities either before, within or after your lecture.
6. Check slides and presentations. Make sure it is Deaf friendly by making it more visual.

Facilitators and Participants during the LTS

At the end of the training, we gave out certificates to all the participants and facilitators. Surely, the success of this activity can be reflected through the evaluation forms they have submitted, but, beyond that - it's their active commitment for growth by applying what they have learned and also share it to others who might need it.