“TheirStory helped us efficiently gather and preserve valuable oral histories, even during challenging times.” - Professor Dan Kerr, American University

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Enhancing Educational Experiences and Accessibility

In September 2020, Dan Kerr, a professor at American University and past President of the Oral History Association, utilized TheirStory to address a pressing issue faced during the COVID-19 pandemic. As the director of the Humanities Truck Project and an oral history instructor, Kerr sought innovative ways to engage with communities and students remotely. TheirStory offered a solution to this challenge by providing a platform to conduct and manage oral history projects with an easy-to-use recording platform.

One significant project Kerr undertook during the pandemic was the "From Me to You, COVID-19 Oral History Project." Unable to conduct in-person interviews, Kerr's team utilized TheirStory's features to gather short video interviews remotely. They created a web exhibit showcasing the connections between interviewees, highlighting the interconnectedness within communities despite physical isolation.

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Remote Recording and Community Connection

During that time, TheirStory was integrated into Kerr's oral history class at American University. Despite the limitations imposed by the pandemic, students were able to conduct interviews remotely and upload them to the platform. TheirStory facilitated the transcription of interviews, generated audio indexes, and allowed for the creation of clips and comments. Additionally, the platform provided a centralized repository for all class materials, streamlining the organization and management of student projects.

An essential aspect of TheirStory's utility was its role in making oral histories accessible beyond the classroom. Interviews recorded by students were aggregated into Islandora, a community archive accessible to the public. Kerr emphasized the importance of ensuring that oral histories are not only archived on hard drives but are made searchable and available for future research and community engagement.

Community Outreach and Student Engagement

TheirStory's features, such as audio and video indexing, transcription, and clip creation, facilitated the incorporation of oral histories into various formats, including exhibits, podcasts, and community events. Kerr brought oral history interviews to a public event celebrating civil rights activist, singer and athlete Paul Robeson's 125th birthday, demonstrating the platform's broad support of community outreach activities. 

By providing a comprehensive platform for conducting, managing, and disseminating oral histories, TheirStory enabled meaningful engagement with communities and facilitated student learning in a remote environment.

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