Oral History Interview Final Project Reflection

Students: Now, you have a chance to reflect on what you have learned.

Reflection

As you know, Metacognitive Thinking, one of the five learning outcomes of FYS, involves reflection.  Please reflect on and write about your experience in conducting this Oral History Interview. 

a. Process: What did you learn about the technical parts of conducting an oral history interview? What aspect did you find most challenging? What aspect was most enjoyable?

b. Content:  What did you learn about the topic that you didn’t already know?  

c. The experience overall:  In previous modules, you learned about oral history.  You had the chance to gain an understanding of what oral history is and what it is designed to do. You read about interview tips and best practices. And, you had the opportunity to examine closely one audio and/or video oral history and evaluate it.  How did actually conducting an oral history interview feel?  Share your reactions:

d. Inquiry Based Thinking:   While this reflection assignment in particular emphasizes metacognitive thinking, the Oral History Interview Final project mainly requires Inquiry Based Thinking.  Based on the definition of Inquiry Based thinking, discuss how you think this assignment meets (or not) this learning outcome.

DEFINITION:  Inquiry Based Thinking – Students will formulate focused questions and hypotheses, evaluate existing knowledge, collect and analyze data, and draw justifiable conclusions.

e. Suggestions for improvement: What recommendations do you have? If your instructor uses this assignment in future FYS sections, what changes would you recommend?

f. Finally, talk to a future FYS student about this project: What would you like to tell them about this assignment? What tips and/or advice would you offer a future FYS student as s/he begins examining oral histories and prepares to conduct one?