Introduction and Contextualization

Introduction

When we think about History, it is essentially inevitable to also think about Historical Time. It is from it that we can understand the evolution and transformations of societies over the centuries.

Historical Time is the period that has been recorded and documented, where we can study the changes that have occurred, whether in politics, economy, culture, or society. It is non-linear, as it is faced by historians in order to understand past events, their causes and effects, as well as their relationships with the present.

Historical Time is a crucial tool for the understanding and analysis of events and changes over time, allowing us to understand the origins of how we currently live, the traditions we have, the technologies we use, and much more.

Contextualization

The study of Historical Time allows us to better understand past events and how they impact our present and future. It helps us understand how societies develop over time and how people throughout history have interpreted, reacted, and adapted to changes.

Important for all of us, Historical Time is especially relevant for history students, as it provides a means to understand the complexities of human societies and their evolution. It is also essential in the development of skills such as critical interpretation of events and evaluation of historical sources.

The following project was developed to improve your understanding and application of the concept of Historical Time. We hope it will be useful in your journey as a history student!

Practical Activity: 'Historical Time Machine'

Project Objective

The objective of this project is to develop a deep understanding of Historical Time and its application, with students as protagonists in the learning process. Students will be encouraged to research, debate, and critically reflect on different historical periods and how they relate to each other, as well as to the present.

Detailed Project Description

The 'Historical Time Machine' activity consists of creating a virtual 'museum' that covers different historical periods. Groups will be responsible for researching, selecting, organizing, and presenting information in a way that helps understand Historical Time.

Required Materials

• Computers with internet access
• Online tools for creating websites or presentations (Google Sites, Prezi, PowerPoint Online, etc.)
• Research materials: books, articles, films/documentaries, interviews, among others.

Step by Step

1. Group Formation: Students will be divided into groups of 3 to 5 members.

2. Selection of Historical Periods: Each group will choose two distinct historical periods to study and compare.

3. Research: Groups will have to research about the events, personalities, culture, technological innovations, etc., of the selected periods.

4. Creation of the Virtual 'Museum': With the collected information, groups will design and build the virtual 'museum', with each 'wing' of the museum dedicated to one of the studied periods. They should include texts, images, videos, and other resources that help illustrate the periods.

5. Project Presentation: Each group will present their 'museum' to the class, explaining the characteristics of the chosen periods and how they relate to the concept of Historical Time.

6. Report Elaboration: Finally, groups must write a detailed report on the project, including:

   • Introduction: Description of the chosen historical periods and justification for the choice. Reflection on the importance of Historical Time.
   • Development: Presentation of the information collected during the research, the methodology used, and the reasons behind the choices made in the construction of the 'museum'. Discussion on how the selected periods relate in Historical Time.
   • Conclusions: Reflections on what they learned from the project and how their understanding of Historical Time was enriched.
   • Bibliography: List of all sources used during the research.

Project Deliverables

Groups must deliver both the virtual 'museum' and the written report. Both should demonstrate a deep understanding of Historical Time and how the selected periods fit into this context. Additionally, the project should reflect the collaborative work of the group members, with each member contributing substantially to the research, creation of the 'museum', and report writing.

The report writing is a fundamental part to reinforce the findings made during the project and to reflect on the process as a whole. The written report should follow an academic format, but should also incorporate students' individual experiences and perceptions, thus creating a personal connection with the material learned.

This activity should take five to ten hours per student to complete and should be delivered after one month.