Resources For Students To Learn ASL:

How do sign language apps work?

Sign language apps provide common signs like everyday words, letters, and numbers for the app user to learn. The app will usually show images or a video of a person completing the sign so that people can follow along and practice the movement.

Are ASL Apps Effective For Learning?

Yes, according to MedicalNewsToday research has shown that apps can be an effective way for beginners to learn ASL. However, apps that have short video clips tend to be more effective than apps that only provide photos. Studies have also shown that most people who want to learn sign language prefer learning in online formats than traditional face-to-face learning setups. 

Apps:

ASL Bloom Is a free app that provides the basic material of ASL for beginners. You can learn at your own pace wherever you want and when it is convent for you. In the ASL Bloom app they have designed quizzes to help solidify your learning and make it fun and engaging for the app user. When you complete a quiz correctly you earn points to unlock more ASL lessons. If you really love ASL Bloom they do have a paid premium version so you can learn more ASL. 

ASL American Sign Language is also a free app that provides the basics of ASL. I like this app because it has the history of ASL along with other useful information for beginners. The tutorial section has a specific section for school signs which is great to teach students in the classroom. There also is a poem section that has nursery rhymes and songs which can be very useful for young children learning ASL. 

ASL-Kids is a free app as well that focuses on the basics children may want to know. The app is sectioned into 5 categories basics, emotions/colours, family/food, nature, and playtime. I like this app because I find it aesthetically pleasing and easy to use. I also really like that during the tutorials it is children signing not adults. The app also includes the ABCs and a quiz component. 

YouTube Resources: 

Learn How to Sign is a YouTube channel that is dedicated to all things ASL. They have pretty much anything you would want to learn available on there for you to be able to learn! I really enjoyed their video How to Sign Disney Characters in ASL.

MyGo! Sign Language for Kids – ASL is a YouTube channel that takes popular kid’s shows and adds ASL interpretation. This is a great way to introduce ASL to young children in a fun and entertaining way! They have a ton of different fun songs and educational videos that can teach children ASL. One of my favorite videos is the classic Wheels on the Bus song with ASL. 

Resources:

ASL Bloom

 6 of the best sign language apps for ASL (medicalnewstoday.com)