Item
David Oral History, 2020/11/04
Media
Title (Dublin Core)
David Oral History, 2020/11/04
Description (Dublin Core)
This is an interview with an instructor who had to adapt to teaching online from live demonstration. He also has health challenges. It's important to me because the health of all of us is important in the pandemic. Especially those in the high risk group like myself.
Written transcript. It is an interview conducted with a professor at a local college.
Written transcript. It is an interview conducted with a professor at a local college.
Recording Date (Dublin Core)
Creator (Dublin Core)
Contributor (Dublin Core)
Event Identifier (Dublin Core)
Partner (Dublin Core)
Type (Dublin Core)
Transcript
Controlled Vocabulary (Dublin Core)
English
Education--Universities
Curator's Tags (Omeka Classic)
Contributor's Tags (a true folksonomy) (Friend of a Friend)
Linked Data (Dublin Core)
Exhibit (Dublin Core)
#CoverYourFangs>Staying Safe
Date Submitted (Dublin Core)
11/05/2020
Date Modified (Dublin Core)
11/25/2020
02/17/2021
07/15/2021
04/28/2022
12/29/2022
Interviewer (Bibliographic Ontology)
Christopher Metta Bexar
Interviewee (Bibliographic Ontology)
David
Location (Omeka Classic)
Texas
United States of America
Format (Dublin Core)
transcript
Language (Dublin Core)
English
abstract (Bibliographic Ontology)
On November 4, 2020 I interviewed a science professor who is a friend of the family. The interview was
conducted via Zoom, and was tape recorded for transcription with the agreement I would erase the tape
after creating a written transcript.
David is a science professor with a community college system in south Texas, Prior to the pandemic he
was dealing with being HIV+ , on expensive medications he has had to buy a premium medical
insurance policy to cover (one not provided by his employer who he fears will release him if his HIV
status is known). So this interview was consented to on the condition that I could only provide a written
transcript and not supply his name or the name of the college he works at.
conducted via Zoom, and was tape recorded for transcription with the agreement I would erase the tape
after creating a written transcript.
David is a science professor with a community college system in south Texas, Prior to the pandemic he
was dealing with being HIV+ , on expensive medications he has had to buy a premium medical
insurance policy to cover (one not provided by his employer who he fears will release him if his HIV
status is known). So this interview was consented to on the condition that I could only provide a written
transcript and not supply his name or the name of the college he works at.
Transcription (Omeka Classic)
Chris: Hello buddy
David: Hey there…So…We want to discuss how I conduct class and office hours while protecting my health in the Era of Covid-19?
Chris: Yes if you would?
David: As you know Chris, I have a fatal autoimmune disease. Even without the potential of Covid-19 I’m at high risk of contracting any number of potentially fatal viruses just be coming in contact with the wrong person.
Chris: Yes, I know.
I also know that you had to set up a video studio in your home to demonstrate the experiments to the students Could you tell me more about it?
David: Yes. I had to go out and duplicate most of the lab materials needed to conduct the experiments as well as purchase a video camera , lighting , a more powerful microphone and a wireless printer just so I would be set up to demonstrate the experiments and create on-the-spot visuals for my students.
I also had to set up not only the usual official office hours via Zoom but give my students extra time when they could reach me if they had problems duplicating the experiments.
Chris: Has there been problems with students insisting upon doing the experiments in the lab of the college where you normally would conduct class?
David: There have been some. But they tend to be the same students who were problems before the pandemic. Those who want an easy high grade knowing they can’t take any course that my freshman level introductory class is a prerequisite for from anyone else but myself unless they receive at least a B in my class.
Chris: Are there any new precautions you have to take in order to protect your health or does the ability to teach from home preclude the need for more?
David: Being at home and not having to go on campus except for faculty meetings is honestly better on my health at present. But I’d still prefer to teach in person next semester if possible. Most of my courses next semester are freshman introductory and it’s important they get a good basis.
Chris: Thank you for your time and honesty buddy, I look forward to seeing you in person. Don’t forget your mask when we go out to eat.
David: (smiling) You’re welcome Chris. You know I won’t forget that (meaning the mask). I hope our waitperson remembers theirs.
David: Hey there…So…We want to discuss how I conduct class and office hours while protecting my health in the Era of Covid-19?
Chris: Yes if you would?
David: As you know Chris, I have a fatal autoimmune disease. Even without the potential of Covid-19 I’m at high risk of contracting any number of potentially fatal viruses just be coming in contact with the wrong person.
Chris: Yes, I know.
I also know that you had to set up a video studio in your home to demonstrate the experiments to the students Could you tell me more about it?
David: Yes. I had to go out and duplicate most of the lab materials needed to conduct the experiments as well as purchase a video camera , lighting , a more powerful microphone and a wireless printer just so I would be set up to demonstrate the experiments and create on-the-spot visuals for my students.
I also had to set up not only the usual official office hours via Zoom but give my students extra time when they could reach me if they had problems duplicating the experiments.
Chris: Has there been problems with students insisting upon doing the experiments in the lab of the college where you normally would conduct class?
David: There have been some. But they tend to be the same students who were problems before the pandemic. Those who want an easy high grade knowing they can’t take any course that my freshman level introductory class is a prerequisite for from anyone else but myself unless they receive at least a B in my class.
Chris: Are there any new precautions you have to take in order to protect your health or does the ability to teach from home preclude the need for more?
David: Being at home and not having to go on campus except for faculty meetings is honestly better on my health at present. But I’d still prefer to teach in person next semester if possible. Most of my courses next semester are freshman introductory and it’s important they get a good basis.
Chris: Thank you for your time and honesty buddy, I look forward to seeing you in person. Don’t forget your mask when we go out to eat.
David: (smiling) You’re welcome Chris. You know I won’t forget that (meaning the mask). I hope our waitperson remembers theirs.
This item was submitted on November 5, 2020 by Christopher Metta Bexar using the form “Share Your Story” on the site “A Journal of the Plague Year”: https://covid-19archive.org/s/archive
Click here to view the collected data.