“A timeline is the presentation of a chronological sequence of related events along a drawn line that enables the reader to quickly understand relationships relating to, or limited by, time.” (see Timeline Examples to read an expanded definition ). Timelines help us understand history and intervals of time. It is often difficult for students to visualize when events in history have taken place and the spans of time between events. A timeline can also help students understand a sequence of events. Today I am sharing timeline resources that you can share with your students to help them sequence and understand events in history.

Web 2.0 Timeline Generators
1. Dipity.com – This marvelous online timeline creator makes it easy to pull in videos, pictures, and updates from hundreds of sources instantly so that students can create their own virtual timelines. The site also features a number of marvelous timelines created by other people who subscribe to this free service. Individuals can comment on the posted timelines making it a perfect vehicle for peer review of student-completed timelines. Timelines can also be turned into widgets that could be posted on a webpage or in a classroom blog. This is a great Web 2.0 Timeline tool!
2. Capzels – this is one of my favorite timeline generators to date. Explores some of the timelines posted on the site and you will understand why! You can create a timeline that includes text, images, sound, and more. In addition, you can set privacy options… all for free with registration. A great timeline resource
3. Timeline Index – this interactive timeline gives you an opportunity to drill down to a timeline of your choice. Select a person, event, timeframe, location, or object; then, keep clicking until you have refined your timeline. Timelines can be printed or turned into a widget (see sample below). Create a free account if you would like to save your timelines. Timelines created with this tool could be used with an Interactive whiteboard since many of the events/people link to expanded information.
   
4. Our Story – “Our Story is here to help you build and enrich your relationships and connections by guiding you (and others in your circle) to recall, write about, and illustrate life’s most important memories.” View the video below for details about this fantastic timeline generator…
5. xtimeline – xtimeline is a free web-based timeline. Easily create and share timelines with pictures and videos. Registration is free and required if you want to create and comment on timelines…great for providing feedback to students who develop timelines.
6. Preceden – this online tool lets you you make simple, powerful timelines for just about anything and you can set the permissions for each timeline. Free registration is required to create a timeline.
7. Lifeblob – Build your Social Timeline using RSS feeds, photographs, text or a combination of all on Lifeblob and see how your life intersects with those of your family and friends.
8. Timetoast – this online tool can be used to create interactive timelines, which can be shared anywhere on the web. Anyone can join Timetoast and start creating and sharing their own timelines. Free registration requires a valid email address.
9. Classtools.net – “A timeline is a great way of getting students to select and summarize key events across a defined period. This online tool allows them to do this simply and effectively, and to color-code the events if they choose to do so. They can also add a background image before printing off their work and / or saving it as a webpage for the school intranet / website!”
10. Fantasist Timeline Generator – simple and fun to use (but limited in scope), create a timeline by creating a name for your generator; then, establish a time span of years and determine how many events you would like to see each year.
11. Freetimeline – Free timeline allows you to build, save, share, and print arbitrary timelines absolutely free. Registration for an account is fast and free… no email required.
12. Center for History and New Media Timeline Builder – create a timeline after you have set up a free account. The timeline creator is straight-forward with few bells and whistles…great for text-based timeline creation.
13. Teachnology – create a vertical or horizontal timeline using the simple generators found at this site. The generators found at this site are probably best suited to younger students since there are minimal events available for each timeline.
14. Thinkport – “This builder will help you construct a timeline, adding events, descriptions, and images that help bring content alive.”
15. Our Timelines.com – create a text-based personal timeline of your life using this generator to see what important events in history mix in with your personal history.
16. Read*Write*Think Timeline Student Tool – use this online generator to make simple, text-based timelines with a limited number of events. This generator is probably best suited to younger students since there are minimal events available for each timeline.



Encompassing Timelines

17. HyperHistory Online – this timeline provides extensive information about world history during the last 3,000 years and abbreviated timelines for the years before that. The site is separated into five categories: People, History, Events, Maps, and Options (which covers the items that don’t fit into the other categories). This site links the timeline events and their dates with scientific, cultural, and religious facts and events. This is a great timeline to explore and share with students.
18. The History Place – explore several different timelines that are subject-specific. Topics include: American Revolution, The Civil War, 20th Century Topics (like Natives of North America, Apollo 11, etc), World War II timelines, Presidents of the U.S., and World History.
19. Timelines of History – this site is initially a bit confusing as you presented with a number of date-specific hyperlinks. The presentation of data is a bit dry, but very informative. Don’t miss the On This Day Video with Randy Barton, which is part of the site. The video incorporates a timeline and Randy shares highlights in history that are fun and interesting.
20. Historical Timeline – “Here you will find 5 timelines featuring some of the key events, inventions, and leaders which had a major impact on the world’s history.”



Subject-specific Timelines that can be explored online…

21. Edison Invents! – view a timeline featuring the life and innovations of Thomas Edison.
22. The Presidential Timeline of the Twentieth Century – explore the lives and administrations of twelve Presidents of the United States. The timeline features resources from the presidential libraries.
23. Fact Monster Timeline Archive – students can explore a number of diverse timelines using this portal page.
24. Alternatime – Students could spend hours exploring this huge portal of links to timelines.
25. Google News Timeline – view news headlines in a calendar/timeline fashion.
26. Timeline of Computer History – click on a year to see some great vintage photos and read some interesting information about computer technology.
27. A Teacher’s Guide to the Holocaust Timeline – this timeline focuses on the history of the Holocaust, chronicling the years from 1918 to 2003.
28. PBS Educational Resources – Many of the PBS Program Links incorporate timelines. Visit the PBS program link using the link I provided and perform a search for the word timeline.
29. Infoplease Archive Timelines – a portal of timeline links.
30. Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History – a great resource for art teachers and students, timelines can be viewed by geographic area or time period.



Miscellaneous Timeline Resources

31. Footnote.com – While this site is not a timeline creation site, it is a marvelous companion site that could be used to develop timelines that include digitally archived artifacts. Through a partnership with The Library of Congress National Archives and other institutions, this site will help you and your students find document-based materials. Students will also discover several timelines dispersed throughout the site as they research.
32. Excel Timeline Templates – use the marvelous Excel templates found on this site to create some great looking and informative timelines.
33. Word Timeline Template – create a basic timeline in Word using this free template from Microsoft.



Teaching with Timelines

34. Timeline Helps – This timeline teaching site targets home-school educators, but the information is relevant for all educators.
35. Timeline Graphic Organizer
36. Printable Blank Timeline
37. Printable Blank Timeline Pieces
38. Scholastic Vertical Timeline Worksheet
39. Make a Timeline Worksheet
40. Time for Kids Timeline Worksheets – nine different worksheets
41. EdHelper Ready Made Timelines for Bulletin Boards – several multi-page timelines that can be used for bulletin boards
42. Enchanted Learning Make Your Own Timeline Worksheets

I recently came Show Document, a nifty net platform that can be used to facilitate collaborative online meetings. The product features numerous features that can be used together or one at a time. The interactive services you can take advantage of while using this service include the following:

• shared files capability – work with colleagues on any document including PDF, Word, Power Point, jpg files
• an interactive whiteboard – during a web meeting users can write and draw images on the whiteboard
• a shared text editor – an advanced online text editor allow users to work together during the web meeting on text files and save the files on their workstation afterword
• YouTube sharing capability – to share a video during a meeting open the Interactive Whiteboard; then, open a new tab and select Share YouTube video. You can control what the other user(s) see as you pause and draw on the video
• Google map sharing – Begin a net meeting by clicking on Interactive Whiteboard and open a new tab and select Share Google Map
• the ability to share a web page – a user can pull up a web page to share with other users during a meeting

Registration is not required, but is recommended. Once you register for a Show Document account you will be able to save documents you plan to use during an online meeting (think…online storage) and access your files from anywhere. Registered users also have access to a dedicated Net Meeting room address that can be shared with others. A nice bonus…you can upload a document and convert it to a .pdf file.

I found this application intuitive, quick in response time (I have a high-speed Internet connection), and liked the interface. The more I play with this application the more I like it. However, I will admit that I did not have an opportunity to collaborate with anyone while I reviewed and explored the application. Here is a screenshot of the invitation screen that appears when you first start a meeting…

I wonder if you could use this application if you had a student who was absent, but still capable of participating in class. A teacher could actually upload his/her material and use this application like a remote whiteboard. Then, the absent student could participate, download notes from the session, etc. It would also be an opportunity to explore if you had students who need a scribe. A teacher could open the whiteboard and write all notes using the computer and then save the notes to .pdf format and/or email them to the student. I can see where this application could also be used for remote parent conferencing. Check out the application and share your ideas for online collaboration using the comment link below. It’s really hard to believe this marvelous application is FREE!

I have lost a lot of family members in recent years, so holidays can be bittersweet. I miss the individuals who used to gather with us to celebrate, but cherish the memories of a family that loved to get together and share good times. One of my favorite Fourth of July memories…

I was that awkward age of 11 (maybe 12) and my grandparents came to the house to celebrate the Fourth of July. Grandpa was a Kodak photographer and had smuggled sparklers over the border following a photo shoot in Canada. The night was ink black and we ran like banshees in the back yard weaving our sparklers as we created miniature fireworks for all who watched. I recently came across a photograph of myself running through the yard with the sparklers. When the photo was taken I felt beautiful, but the photo does not reflect those inner feelings…my hair was askew and I was wearing geeky glasses…an awkward pre-teen for sure. That night Grandpa taught me where the big dipper was. I still feel like a carefree child full of joy and delight whenever I look up in the skies and see the big dipper.

I can’t share sparklers online, but I have embedded a fireworks widget…click in the skies below as you think back to some of your own Fourth of July joys.

As I researched the Big Dipper I also came across this lovely Flickr photo featuring the Big Dipper and coupled it with a favorite quote (the photo is a bit dark…click on the image to see the larger version). Please consider this my feeble attempt to share the big dipper via words and images and join me in thanking Flickr user joiseyshowaa for sharing the photograph.

Have a happy and safe Fourth of July!