ASL FAQs for Instructors-Remote Instruction
Can a student with an ASL Interpreting accommodation participate in Zoom group work/breakout rooms?
Yes, the student is able to participate in group work. When a class is held in-person, an ASL Interpreter is present and often sits with the group in order to hear the speakers clearly. Remote classes are handled similarly in that the interpreter will be present in the same breakout room/group component as the student.
We encourage students to discuss their accommodations with their professors, and they may reach out to you with what works best for them in your particular class.
How will I know if an ASL Interpreter is present in my Zoom meeting?
The ASL Interpreter will be named “Interpreter” in your Zoom participant list.
What are the ASL Interpreting Best Practices for courses presented via Zoom?
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Zoom lectures need to end at the scheduled end time, as both the students and the interpreters may have other obligations immediately following your class.
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Speak clearly, in a normal tone, and at a moderate rate. Do not rush through a lecture. If the interpreter does not understand or hear what was said, the interpreter may communicate with the instructor through the Zoom chat window. Please monitor your chat window for questions or requests from the interpreter.
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Be mindful of ambient noises. Shuffling papers, typing, or using a stylus will override the spoken word. Speak facing your device's microphone. When speakers turn away from the microphone or their head is down, the audio is muffled or inaudible, possibly resulting in missing crucial information.
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To ensure your audio is coming through clearly during your lecture, please check the chat frequently or ask if participants can hear you throughout your lecture.
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The interpreter can only interpret one speaker at a time. If there is more than one speaker present, they should not speak simultaneously. When multiple participants are speaking at one time, the audio does not stream through clearly. Please ask participants to mute their microphone until they need to speak.
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If the speaker plans to read material in the class, it is beneficial for the student and interpreter to have access to the material prior to the beginning of the class so they can follow along with what is being read.
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When reading a text in class, please make sure to cite the page number and paragraph that you are reading from so the student can follow along. Posting this information in the chat window also helps your students locate the material.
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The interpreter cannot sign and speak and/or type in the chat window at the same time. Please avoid asking non-essential questions of the interpreter during class time.
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If there are guest speakers or student presenters, please apprise them of DSP ASL Interpreting protocols.
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Whenever possible, please provide the ASL Interpreter with PowerPoints, handouts, charts, and other class materials in advance so they may be reviewed ahead of time. The best way to share preparation materials is by posting them to your bCourses site or by emailing the files to dsp-captioning@berkeley.edu
How do I assign an ASL Interpreter to a Zoom breakout room?
When assigning an ASL Interpreter to the student during breakout sessions, please look for the Interpreter as a participant (Interpreter). Please ensure the Interpreter is in the same breakout room as the student receiving the accommodation.