Check out the video General Knowledge made on this topic, in partnership with ClioVis!
In the fall of 1777, British General William Howe took over Philadelphia, forcing the Continental Congress to flee to York, Pennsylvania. Prior to Howe’s occupation, the Continental Congress elected Philadelphia as its site of congregation because of the city’s infrastructure, political significance, and it being the site of major trade and commerce. The movement of the Congress to York was also a practical one: representatives needed a place of geographical refuge during Howe’s occupation.
The 1780s saw several other pragmatic shifts of the new nation’s capital. Back in Pennsylvania, the United States (under the Articles of Confederation) faced another attack—this time from within. In 1783, Continental Army soldiers attacked the Philadelphia capitol to receive payment for their service in the war. The Congress then fled and temporarily relocated the United States’ capital to Princeton, New Jersey. Later, in search for a permanent capital, Congress moved the capital to Annapolis and then to Trenton, New Jersey.
As members of the Constitutional Convention lay the foundation for a new country, an approach toward locating the capital emerged, influenced by political philosophy. Political Scientists Erik Engstrom, Jesse Hammond, and John Scott argue that the revolutionary war marked a transition from choosing capital sites based on practical considerations—such as Congress chose Philadelphia—to instead follow “the theory of representative government developed in the new nation, especially as articulated by Madison.” In other words, the capital of the United States should be intentionally located to be accessible to the populations and interests it represents.
Throughout the 1780s, according to Engstrom, Hammond, and Scott, several states employed this new approach in relocating their capitols to be closer to population centers. The federal government followed suit with the Residence Act of 1790. The act called for the creation of a federal territory on the Potomac River. While the immediate catalyst of the act was an agreement between James Madison and Alexander Hamilton over state war debts, the capital’s positioning between northern and the southern followed the United States’ Madisonian ideal of creating a government that was geographically accessible to all.
In another analysis of the changing U.S. capitals, YouTuber General Knowledge utilizes ClioVis, an interactive timeline software, to examine the immediate causes behind the shifts United States’ capital. He also asks, why did the revolutionary government so often return to Philadelphia for its capital? Watch his video below:
Check out the video General Knowledge made on this topic in partnership with ClioVis.
In 1895, Kittie Knox, a well-known Black female cyclist and member of the Riverside Cycling Club, defended her right to remain in the National League of American Wheelman (LAW). That year, LAW restricted membership to white people but Knox argued that they could not kick her out. Although LAW ultimately refused her admission, Knox kept cycling. Her defiance highlighted the broader significance of cycling for women’s independence.
Bikes offered women a new sense of freedom as they enabled mobility, challenging patriarchal constraints dictating what women could and could not do. The design of late 20th century bikes also led women to resist fashion norms: traditional Victorian skirts were cumbersome for cycling, leading women like Knox to wear bloomers or shorter skirts. These clothing choices often clashed with societal expectations. In this way, cycling allowed women to embrace both physical mobility and greater agency over their fashion.
The growth in women’s agency through cycling must be understood within the context of the women’s suffrage movement. As the idea of “womanhood” broadened in the 1890s, female cyclists championed women’s independence. Elizabeth Cady Stanton wrote that the bicycle will “make [women] cautious, courageous, self-reliant, and increase their [practical] common sense.” To ride, women resisted female fashion norms, gained confidence in new technology, and learned basic bike mechanics. This self-reliance complemented the growing suffrage movement, which encouraged women to assert independence through activism and demonstrations, such as the Women’s Suffrage Parade.
The connection between agency in cycling and activism likely led Susan B. Anthony to argue that biking “has done more to emancipate women than anything else in the world.” Anthony continues “the moment she takes her seat she knows she can’t get into harm unless she gets off her bicycle, and away she goes, the picture of free untrammeled womanhood.” The independence of biking can be linked to this renewed idea of female autonomy found in the 1890s. This renewed idea of womanhood became a core tenant of the women’s suffrage movement and contributed to the signing of the 19th amendment.
ClioVis collaborated with YouTuber General Knowledge to trace the evolution of the bike and its ties to the women’s suffrage movement. Former Graduate Student Natalie Johnson and ClioVis interns Evelyn Jackson and Champ Turner worked together to create a ClioVis timeline. A network of ClioVis events allows viewers to better understand the complexity of this story. Inspired by their work, YouTuber General Knowledge created a video bringing this history to a wider audience.
Written by: Ana Mairena, ClioVis Intern and University of Texas History and Psychology Major
August 15, 2024.
Who is Sabrina Carpenter?
For many people, the story of Sabrina Carpenter begins in 2021, following the media frenzy generated by a suspected love triangle between herself and fellow musicians Joshua Bassett and Olivia Rodrigo. But long before she was rumored to be “that blonde girl” mentioned in Rodrigo’s song “Driver’s License,” Carpenter was an accomplished actress and singer whose career was already on the rise. She co-starred in her own Disney Channel show, Girl Meets World, for three years and had finalized a record deal at the ripe old age of 14. Five studio albums and several film appearances later, Sabrina is one of the most well-formed and well-branded pop stars of her age.
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.
My personal connection to the music
Although the general public is just now waking up to the force that is Sabrina Carpenter, I’ve been aware of her career since she played Maya Hart on the aforementioned Girl Meets World, a spin-off of the ‘90s show Boy Meets World. I was a fan when she released her debut single “Can’t Blame a Girl for Trying” all the way back in 2014, and I’ve watched as she evolved from her Eyes Wide Open era all the way to Short n’ Sweet, which will be her most recent album. For many of her listeners, Carpenter’s recent success isn’t just the work of the past couple years, it’s the culmination of a decade’s worth of fandom. Sabrina has grown up and so have we, right alongside her.
Where the new meets the old – and how ClioVis helps us bridge the gap
Because Sabrina’s career was somewhat of a slow burn to stardom, it can be difficult for people to wrap their heads around her fame. Some argue that she shouldn’t be nominated for Best New Artist at the Grammys this year because she’s about to release her sixth album, which makes it seem like she isn’t very “new,” but others have frequently commented that they hadn’t heard of her at all until recently. Making a ClioVis timeline allows us to see how Sabrina grew into her artistry with each passing album, and how her current fame is the product of her experience as a child star.
Conclusion
A timeline also helps us understand how Sabrina’s career has been connected to and shaped by other celebrities. One of her first major breakthroughs in music was when she placed third in a singing competition hosted by Miley Cyrus. Since then, Sabrina has performed with The Vamps and opened for the likes of Ariana Grande and Taylor Swift. Now a huge artist in her own right, she’s giving a platform to other musicians such as girlhouse, Blu DeTiger, spill tab, and Annika Bennett, who were some of the opening acts on her most recent tour. Tools like ClioVis give users the opportunity to show the development and trajectory of not just their favorite pop stars but the advancement of whatever subject they feel passionate about. Check out another ClioVis timeline about Taylor Swift.
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.
