Learning from Oral History

While the end of the year brings a time to reflect upon events from the past year, the new year often brings resolutions to perhaps do things to improve oneself, to spend more time doing an activity, or to change a habit, among other things.  Given the fact that over the past year we have lived through very different times navigating a pandemic, there are lots of stories to tell.  

Over the past few months, I have read many oral histories describing how people have coped during the pandemic.  These included stories about New York City and various other geographic areas, patients and staff in health care facilities, people in specific jobs, stories about teaching and learning, and personal stories from many individuals.  Many of the people told how their experience provided time for personal growth.

I have always known about the power of stories to reach people and aid learning, but it wasn’t until two years ago when I started work on an oral history project with a colleague that I became aware of the formal discipline of oral history.  The Oral History Association is a great resource from which to learn.  Universities, libraries, government agencies, and others are involved in gathering oral history (see links below).  Even school children can gather oral history stories.

Gifted learners are often very sensitive to current events such as the pandemic.  They care about how such an event impacts people, including their family and others, and can be quite affected by their intense emotions, anxiety, worry, stress, and behaviors.  Perhaps doing something to document the experience during the pandemic would help them feel some sense of control over their environment.  Gifted students may want to create an oral history of their own family, their neighborhood, their class, or school.  It doesn’t have to be a big project; it can be accomplished with just one or two people.  This may help gifted students feel as though they have some impact in the midst of our current situation.

Below are some examples of oral history projects, hints and tips for gathering oral history, and resources for teachers and students to help with an oral history project.  Of course, this is not an exhaustive list of resources, and there are many more resources available for you to investigate on your own.  

Happy New Year and best wishes on beginning an oral history project!

Utica College
Pandemic Oral History Project

Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institute 
Pandemic Oral History Project

Smithsonian Pandemic Oral History Project Interviews
DEMI, Pandemic Oral History Project, Archives of American Art, 2020

Linda Lomahaftewa, Pandemic Oral History Project
Kay WalkingStick, Pandemic Oral History Project, Archives of American Art, 2020


Oral History Project:  Pandemic Stories, St. Joseph Public Library, St. Joseph, MO
Oral History Project: Pandemic Stories

Columbia University
NYC COVID-19 Oral History, Narrative and Memory Archive — INCITE

Oral History Society, University of London
Advice on oral history interviewing during the Covid-19 pandemic


Oral History Society, University of London
A guide to oral history for schools and youth groups


COVID-19 Oral History Project, Tufts University
COVID-19 Sample Oral History Questions | DCA

The Oral History Review, Vol. 47, Issue 2, 2020
Socially Engaged Oral History Pedagogy amid the COVID-19 Pandemic


Oral History Program, UW-Madison
Oral History Program | UW Archives and Records Management


Oral History Association (OHA)
Oral History Association

Oral History Association Resources:
Technology: Oral History in the Digital Age

Web Guides to Doing Oral History

Oral History Association Educator's Resource (Examples and Sample Lesson Plans)

Oral History, Grades K-5

Oral History: A Writing Workshop Teaching Guide

Oral History: A Writing Workshop

Oral History Interview Guide and Worksheet
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Supporting Your Gifted Child During COVID-19

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