BP3_Dipidy

I chose to review a Web 2.0 tool called Dipidy.  Dipidy is a site with both a free and a paid version, which allows users to create timelines.  After searching through what seemed to be hundreds of 2.0 Apps, I found this one, which may have a place in my instruction of students.

Dipidy has a large number of pre made timelines, ranging from the escapades of Madonna to the accomplishments of Steve Jobs.  The timelines are attractive, seemingly unbiased, and interesting.  You can search for timelines by topic, which makes the site very user friendly.





You can also create your own timelines on Dipidy.  You can opt to create them from scratch with entirely your own information, or you can put events into a timeline, and support them with information from pre made timelines by incorporating them into your existing one.




 I think the coolest part of the timelines is that they are interactive.  You can click on one of your entries to obtain a video, a news article, a link to another timeline, etc. Of course, the timeline is only as "good" as the information you find to put into it.

I found that creating my own timeline was very interesting - not very involved initially.  Finding appropriate, copy write free photos, videos, and articles, however, was very time consuming.  As I worked on adding events to an existing timeline on the history of atom exploration, I spent way too much time looking for appropriate and available photos and videos.  I ended up adding only one event, the latest launch of the Mars Rover on November 28, 2011, to an existing timeline.

I can see great uses for this tool.  As a science and technology teacher, I would like to incorporate more history of the people involved in innovation and invention.  I would love to have time to develop timelines appropriate for physics, life science, engineering, etc., to use in my classes.  I think the interactive feature would hold my student's attention better than a Power Point presentation of information.  If the timeline was available on line, I could assign it's viewing as homework.  Overall, given time to work on the presentations, this is an awesome tool.