TECH4ARTED
Re-Making Time
Like a map creates connections between art and geography, a timeline also brings relevancy to a historical sequence of
events. A timeline can range from the
beginning of recorded history, span a
lifetime, or be as short as a few steps
in an art production. Create engaging
lessons by integrating a timeline into
your curriculum or by having students
document their own artistic progress
through an online portfolio.
Online Art Historical Timelines
From the Museu Picasso of Barcelona
collection, experience a timeline of
Picasso’s life and artwork ( bcn.cat/
museupicasso/en/picasso/crono-flash.
html). Move along the linear series of
events to see the lifelong development
of Picasso’s work and the personal and
world events that may have impacted
his artistic development. You can also
explore the timeline from the Metropolitan Museum collection organized
by geographic region, subject, or time
period ( www.metmuseum.org/toah).
Almost any art experience you teach
can be related to this extensive interactive timeline.
Create Your Own Timeline
Develop your own visually engaging
timeline for a presentation, student
research, or art portfolio documentation. One such timeline maker is
Capzles ( www.capzles.com). Capzles
is very useful for illustrating sequential events or documenting an art
portfolio, and includes the ability to
add in large images and backgrounds.
Upload and rearrange photos, choose
a background, add audio, and attach
documents—or even a PowerPoint
presentation. See how Capzles can be
used to show the process and development of a student’s work here: goo.gl/
tMxo; or explain the photography of
Dorothea Lange: goo.gl/ToLD.
Using a slightly different interface,
Timetoast lets you quickly scan over
events and click on thumbnail images
for a larger view and more information
( www.timetoast.com). Upload photos
and add Web links, or add a meaning-
ful layer by using a “timespan” with
familiar events to help illustrate a
place in history. See an example of a
graphic design timeline here: tinyurl.
com/GDesignTimeline. Another exam-
ple on the history of photography can
be found at goo.gl/x3vw, and another
on the Renaissance can be found here:
goo.gl/yLsv.
Theresa McGee is an art and design
teacher at Monroe Elementary School, in
Hinsdale, Illinois. tmcgee@d181.org
