I try to not think I am wasting my time on the internet. I hate to just sit here, but I have been doing some useful stuff, even though the dishes are not done. Maybe I feel lazy because I haven't bothered to shower yet. I'm so bad.

I decided it was time to do some more research into learning ASL and also what kinds of things I can do more for Maxwell. I had done this all before and had a bunch of sites bookmarked, but that was using a different browser and there are somethings that have changed on the websites, along with my need or lack of for certain materials. This time, I simplified. I put only what I think I will use.

What is interesting is how many different sites there are, yet how similar they all are. However, from all of my looking there is only one site that offers free ASL lessons. The only reason you would pay is if you want college credit. The author of the site makes it very clear that anyone may copy his lessons, use them in the home or other instructional areas, all for non-profit of course, just as long as you give his site due credit. He calls it a living site, meaning it is always up for change, and he will change things. Since I have been going there the site has only gotten better. I was happy to have printable workbooks to help me study off-line. This is all an exception to the rest of the online community. There are places that offer dictionary, articles, but you have to pay everybody else to learn ASL. www.lifeprint.com

There is only one other website I have found worthy of frequent visits and that is the one that offers games, along with a dictionary. I am able to play a quiz game where a signer signs and I guess what they are signing. This helps in my ability to understand as well as sign. www.aslpro.com

I find the same thing with websites as I do with books. One only needs a few Signing books. It is hard to find a book to teach ways of learning and practicing only. Most, if not all, signing books cover the same stuff. Most offer a history and look into the deaf community. Some do it quite poorly though. The rest of the books have introductory signs, and it seems that all of the books have the same signs. There are really only a few which are worthy of owning and those are the ones that actually teach you how to speak ASL, they include lessons, examples, not just pictures, and their pictures are worthy of learning from. Some signing books have such poor pictures that one cannot figure out what the hands are doing. there are some books that focus not on the actual teaching, but just giving you practice sentences, those are ok. My favorite book however, is the pocket dictionary. I can take it with me, it is small, and allows for me to look up a sign quickly if I do not know something, and it has great instructions. I guess one only needs really 2 or 3 books to teach them sign.

Now, if one wants to get into baby signing books, well, they are all the same. I would suggest buying the one with the most signs in, and maybe a few ideas on how to teach your baby. All of these books are designed to teach a hearing baby, not deaf, but it comes in handy for a few ideas.