Written by: Evelyn Jackson, UT-Austin Psychology Major and ClioVis Intern
August 5, 2024.
Follow along with the video case study I made on how I used ClioVis to make a visual timeline of Taylor Swift’s career and further my learning experience in the classroom.
The role of music
Music has long helped humans connect. During the 2020 pandemic, music was one of the few forms of entertainment that continued to be available to almost everyone with a radio or a phone. At a time when many people were unable to meet in person, music provided a way to foster connection. And, people and the media connected with Taylor Swift’s music.
What’s so special about Taylor Swift?
During, and then after, the media surge of the pandemic, Taylor Swift captured my attention. Like millions of others, I loved and appreciated her music but I also became aware of her remarkable success and unwavering prominence in the industry. In thinking about her career and trying to see its trajectory, I decided to make a timeline to better understand Swift’s expansive career, especially since it’s a career that stretches across decades.
Visual timeline software
Making a timeline proved to be helpful for me in this endeavor. ClioVis, a visual storytelling and interactive timeline tool, allowed me to map her career and to see each of her albums in a chronological format. More than that I could see how her artistic endeavors were connected. Another goal was to chart how many awards and accolades each album, and her different songs, received. Ultimately my timeline allowed me to convey just how successful she had been and it allowed me to make my observations about her success visible to others.
Take a look at my timeline, see Swift’s career in a new way.
Being able to translate my ideas into a different medium such as a paper or list was not my goal because it was hard to put in proportion just how many awards and albums Swift has produced. Mutli-modal mind mapping and network visualization tools like the one I used are ideal for content planning and, later, presenting that information to friends and family – or other Swift fans. (You can see my timeline here. You can zoom in on specific nodes or put it in a simplified view format by clicking on the three lines in the right-hand corner. If you are using your computer, use the arrow keys on your to explore the timeline and zoom in and out. Click on the nodes to see the information.)
Written by: Aidan Dresang, ClioVis Intern and University of Texas History Major
July 31, 2024.
The current state of student-engagement in the classroom
On my first day of 11th-grade history, I remember the sense of gloom I felt when I was presented with a nearly 500-page history textbook. The textbook seemed to suggest that the history of the United States could be summed up in a single, linear, narrative devoid of connections and nuance. This was no fault of my wonderful teacher — I still reflect on her amazing lessons. Rather, it is partly a symptom of the lack of accessible and easy methods teachers have at their disposal to get students to make connections between different historical events.
My perspective
As a student studying to become a public high school history teacher, I often think about how I can best engage students with history and encourage them to find connections between different historical events. How can I find creative timeline project ideas for history classes?
How can digital tools help?
ClioVis, a technology I first used in college in Dr. Erika Bsumek’s course, offers a new way for students to immerse themselves in history. The software allows students to visualize history on a timeline, make connections between events, incorporate multimedia to build an argument and present their projects when finished. Since I really liked the project I created with the technology, I wanted to share my ideas about how it and other technologies could potentially be used to create similar products.
Video walkthrough
Follow along with the video case study I made on how I used ClioVis to transform my learning experience in the classroom.
Visually breaking down history
Teaching history to a diverse set of learners can be hard. The traditional method of presenting while students take notes is becoming increasingly less popular as research shows that students need various ways to engage with material to maximize their learning. ClioVis allows students to visually break down complex history onto an interactive timeline. Students can map out different events while categorizing them and placing them into different ‘eras.’ Now, instead of (or in addition to) making concept maps on a whiteboard, you can allow students to take their ideas online.
Connecting events (concept mapping)
One of the greatest features of timeline technology is that it allows students to connect different events and concepts simply by drawing an arrow or line. Students are then prompted to explain the connection between the events. As teachers struggle to combat AI, ClioVis’s connection feature highlights Human Intelligence (HI). This feature encourages students to analyze the ways different historical concepts and events interact.
Incorporating multimedia and digital literacy
Allowing students to interact with multimedia (historical and contemporary) is immensely important for student comprehension and engagement. ClioVis allows students to attach images, audio files, and even videos onto individual event nodes. The possibilities are endless—you may have students navigate online historical archives for videos, create their TikTok to expand on a historical event, or practice their digital literacy skills by finding a reputable YouTube video. Whatever you choose, there are benefits of using a visual storytelling tool in education.
Reciprocal teaching
Imagine you have students break up into groups and create timelines on different subjects you are covering in class (conveniently using the real-time collaborative feature, of course). Now, with the timelines finished, you want students to share their work with each other. ClioVis enables students to easily share their timelines with each other through the “present” feature. The feature allows a presenter to navigate through the timeline almost like a powerpoint, easily sharing their work.
Conclusion
Having already taught in several high school history classrooms I see the need for a technology that allows students to draw connections between various events. Digital tools can fill that need and offer a new, engaging way for students to think and learn about history.
The introduction of a mind map for students was an attempt to improve upon the traditional way of note-taking and learning. Students in higher education studying as undergraduates or postgraduates tend to consume voluminous amounts of information and take notes to summarise what they learn. Mind mapping provides students with a creative and more enjoyable way to summarize what they learn and subsequently review relevant information. A mind-mapping tool like ClioVis further enhances this process. Who wouldn’t want to take the more enjoyable and effective route to learning?
What is Mind Mapping?
Mind mapping is a system of compressing information using a radial diagrammatic representation and keywords relevant to the main topic. To create a radial diagram, you start at the center with the main topic and branch off to sub-topics and concepts related to the main subject.
Educators, professors, students, and anyone can use mind mapping to organize ideas and summarise a significant, complex topic. It can also serve as a timeline marker for students. The visual appeal of a mind map makes it fun to make and review afterward. Some research also suggests mind mapping improves cognitive skills in students.
Benefits of a Mind Map for Students
Mind maps for students offer significant benefits to their learning experience. Rather than taking long notes and struggling to cram, they can sketch out a radial diagram including all the necessary branches they need to know about a central topic or idea. Here are some of the benefits of a mind map for students:
A mind map shows the relationship between ideas and topics by drawing the connections.
The radial representation of information allows the brain to assimilate information better than conventional note-taking.
Creating a mind map feels like a fun activity, so students are more likely to enjoy the process.
Using images, colors, and connecting arrows in a mind map triggers the brain to notice and retain the information.
You only require short, relevant phrases in a mind map to remind you of an idea or concept. Students won’t have to write copious notes.
Mind Mapping Techniques
Mind maps are not only fun but easy to create. You can start with paper, pen, and highlighters. You only need to indicate your main idea in the center and branch off to relevant sub-topics.
Alternatively, you can make use of an online mind-mapping tool like ClioVis. Try making one online rather than scribbling on paper and making errors that may need you to start over or create a not-so-appealing mind map. ClioVis allows you to connect related information, cite sources, collaborate, and make presentations with a mind map template. You can learn more about ClioVis’s features and how to use it here.
Tips to Create the Best Mind Map
To create the best mind map, consider the following tips:
Colors: Once you use a distinct color for the main idea at the center, each branch should maintain a consistent color.
Images: Consider sketching images or small icons to accentuate your points and ideas. Images also make your mind map more attractive and appealing to look at.
Use short phrases: A mind map is meant to be a diagram, so you shouldn’t overwhelm it with text. Include short phrases that best convey the idea you want to put down.
Mind Map Examples for Students
Students can use mind mapping for various purposes. Some examples include:
Note-taking
Consider making a mind map rather than trying to scribble almost everything you hear during a class. Creating a mind map encourages you to think critically about what you hear, write down relevant words or phrases, and include images where necessary. Mind mapping saves time when you’re taking notes in class and reviewing your notes later.
Brainstorming
Are you trying to develop ideas for an assignment, project, or essay? Try creating a mind map to organize ideas as they come and encourage your creativity. If you feel stuck, you can draw out empty branches and think about the best keywords to fill them. Your brain will consider it challenging and think of ways to fill the blank space.
Memorization
You can enhance your Memorization of critical information using mind maps. Whether you’re trying to recall historical dates and names or a complex scientific process, you can create a mind map containing the information you wish to Memorize. The visual appeal of your mind map will make you want to go back and review its content, which facilitates Memorization. You can also play a little game with yourself where you cover a branch’s info and try to recall it to strengthen your memory further.
Group Project
Mind maps can make working on group projects more enjoyable and productive. By using an online tool like ClioVis, you can share your mind map with your team. Group members can visualize what they need to do to complete the project. They can also access the mind map and edit its content simultaneously. By assigning tasks to group members, everyone can understand what they need to do and pitch it to complete the project.
Exam Preparation
Have a stress-free exam preparation by using mind maps. You can organize your notes, topics you need to read, and a textbook chapter summary using mind maps. An online tool will be helpful for exam preparation as you can include links to relevant sources on your mind maps. A mind map provides a skeletal base telling where to begin and what you must cover or understand to prepare for an examination fully. You can also design a mind map with information like exam dates, times, teachers, or things you must bring.
Conclusion
Whether you’re a professor or student, using mind maps will improve how you organize, study, and Memorize information. Mind maps for students are especially important because they have to cover various subjects and also regurgitate crucial information during exams, assignments, or school projects. A mind mapping tool like ClioVis makes creating and using a mind organized, easy, and fun. To begin enjoying the benefits of mind mapping, get started with ClioVis.
