Brennon Shope

Oral History Interview 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?  I learned that the audio part of the interview is the hardest, the technical part of the recording gave me some problems. I found it challenging to find the right tone of voice i needed for the recording device to pick it up properly. I really enjoyed just sitting down and getting to talk about my grandfathers past.

b. Content:  What did you learn about the topic that you didn’t already know?  IT was actually super interesting, i did not know that my grandfather had been part of so many strikes.

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: I think it felt like an oral history a lot. I wasnt investigating something like the other histories i heard were, but i think it was pretty spot on.

d. Inquiry Based Thinking:  While this reflection assignment in particular emphasizes metacognitive thinking, the Oral History Interview Final project mainly requires Inquiry Based Thinking.

e. Suggestions for improvement: What recommendations do you have? If your instructor uses this assignment in future FYS sections, what changes would you recommend?  I think the topic should be broadened. Especially since we were in a pandemic, it was hard to find and meet with someone that had a story interesting enough to talk about

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? Make sure you find your person fairly early on in the class. It makes it much easier when you don’t have to look later on.

 

Oral History Interview URL: https://archive.storycorps.org/interviews/fys-interview-about-the-theme-of-protests-with-fred-shope-by-brennon-shope/