`# Contextualization

Language and technology are two indispensable tools for our understanding of the world and our history. Language serves as a vehicle for the transmission of thoughts, ideas and feelings, while technology extends our human capabilities and allows us to access and record a volume of information and perspectives that would be impossible otherwise.

Language as a tool for studying history

Language has a crucial role in the study of history. It is the means by which the past is described and interpreted. Through writing, we can travel back in time and learn about different cultures, eras and events. Each word, phrase or text is a remnant from a bygone time, which enables us to “speak” with our ancestors in an indirect, yet powerful way.

Language is also the tool with which historians build narratives about the past. They select, organize and analyze historical evidence to create stories that unveil the complexity of past events. Such stories do not only help us to understand our past, they also shape our current perspective.

Technology in the study of history

While language takes us to the past, technology helps us to make that journey more accessible and informative. With the advancement of technology, we have access to an incredible amount of information and resources which can help us understand and interpret history. For instance, with a simple Google search, we can access thousands of archival documents, images of works of art, and scholarly texts that were once available only in physical libraries.

Moreover, modern software programs allow us to analyze and visualize historical data in new and thought-provoking ways, making the study of history more interactive and immersive. Similarly, virtual reality technology can enable us to “visit” historical sites and experience past events in an immersive manner.

Hands-on activity - "Documenting the past: a virtual tour through history"

Project Aim:

This project aims to combine language and technology in the study of history. Students will work in groups to create an interactive timeline website of human history. Each group will be assigned a specific time period, investigating and documenting major events, key figures, technological innovations, and other aspects of that time period. The final product will be an interactive and comprehensive educational resource for the study of history.

Project Overview:

The students will work in groups of 3-5, with each group responsible for researching and documenting a particular period of human history - e.g. Stone Age, Bronze Age, Classical Antiquity, Middle Ages, Modern Era, Contemporary Era, etc.

This activity will have the following stages:

1. Research: The students will conduct research on their assigned time period, focusing on key events, important historical figures, technological innovations, and the evolution of language.

2. Planning: The students will plan how to present the collected information in an interactive and engaging way on a website.

3. Development: With their plan in place, the students will begin to build their website, including the addition of text, images, graphics, videos, etc. The website should be visually appealing and informative.

4. Review and editing: The students will check their website for accuracy of information, before making any necessary edits.

5. Presentation: Each group will present their website to the class, explaining the key findings from their research.

Required Materials:

• Internet access for research and building the website (free platforms such as Google Sites or Wix can be used).
• Books and reference materials for research.
• Image editing and video editing software, if necessary.

Step-by-Step Project Procedure:

1. Divide students into groups and assign each group to a time period.

2. Students should begin researching their time period, collecting relevant information.

3. Students should plan the layout and content of their website.

4. Students should create their website, populating it with the gathered information.

5. Students should review and edit their website.

6. Students should present their website to the class.

Project Deliverables:

Upon completion of the project, each group should submit:

1. Website: A completed interactive website on their assigned period of history.

2. Written Report: Each group must submit a written report following a suggested structure (Introduction, Development, Conclusion, Bibliography). The report should include the following information:

   • Introduction: The introduction should provide some context for the chosen time period, giving a brief overview of its importance and why the group chose to study it.
   • Development: In this section the student should provide an in-depth discussion on the following key questions: What key historical events occurred during their chosen time period? Who were some of the most important historical figures of the period? What technological innovations emerged during the period? What changes in the form and function of language can be observed? The discussion should also detail how the group created their website, explaining their methodology, and finally the report should conclude by presenting the group’s findings.
   • Conclusion: Here the student should restate their main point, summarizing what was learned during the investigation as well as giving some concluding thoughts on the project as a whole.
   • Bibliography: This section should include the sources that were used to inform the project.

The project should take an engaged student more than twelve hours to complete and should address four or more key theoretical topics or concepts. This project fulfills such criteria as students will be dealing with multiple topics within their chosen time period, they will need to work collaboratively in order to fulfill the task at hand, and the process of researching, planning, building the website, writing the report, and delivering the presentation will require a significant time investment.