NTID Online Learning Program for People with Hearing Loss

Deaf and hard-of-hearing people now have the opportunity to improve their technical skills as well as earn college certificates and degrees in computer programming through the any-time, any-place distance learning courses and certificates developed at the National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID), a college of RIT.

This spring, the Applied Computer Technology Department at NTID will offer distance learning courses to earn a certificate in introductory programming. These distance learning courses use a variety of instructional and communication methods including: groupware such a First Class or Blackboard, videotapes that include sign language, captioning, and voice, world-wide web delivered instruction, sample executable and source code examples and a reference text.

These NTID distance learning courses are an opportunity for deaf and hard-of-hearing adults who often cannot take traditional courses due to career or family obligations to re-train or learn new skills. "NTID is now able to satisfy those needs allowing the deaf adult to take courses and earn a certificate from the comfort of their home." Said James R. Mallory, associate professor, who developed NTID's first distance learning courses and will be the primary instructor for the courses in the "Introductory Programming" certificate. This course is unique because most distance learning classes are developed for the general audience.

Information about distance learning courses offered at NTID can be found at the URL: http://www.distancelearning.rit.edu. Information on the flexible degree program can be found at the URL: http://www.rit.edu/~801www/flexdegree.