A tool to make 3D Timelines
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One of the challenges of the GCSE History option SHP is the length of the development study. Students look at an aspect of History (either Crime or Medicine) over an extended period of History, usually from the Prehisttoric to the present. I was looking for something which my students could refer back to, as well as continually update. I used Google Sketchup as I had found most other timelines got ‘clogged up’ after the 18th Century, there was just too much information in the latter part of the timeline to enable a balanced and accurate timeline. I feel sure this tool can also be used for KS3 and A Level students to produce useful timelines.
The advantage of Sketchup is that it operates in three dimensions, allowing multiple entries for a certain date. Sketchup is designed for 3D modelling, but the ability to add 3D text and images means that relevant images can be incorporated into the timeline. The ability to zoom in and out, and to ‘travel’ around the timeline in three dimensions, literally adds an extra dimension.
Overall I found this very useful, students were keen to develop their timelines, adding elements almost constantly. My students felt able to maintain their chronological perspective, being able to judge the speed and frequency of change visually.
The application is fairly simple, once one has understood all the tools. Ask students to write the dates along the horizontal axis with the 3D text tool, then they can add shapes or just simply insert images, then size and rotate the images. They certainly look good on parents evening.
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