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StoryMapJS and ThingLink examples

StoryMap Mark 1

exploring its potential as a technology guide:


Benefits


  • The slideshow format is probably familiar for students.
  • Because I've used the gigapixel option, my map image is historically relevant to some course material
  • The slides do move us around the map
  • For modern literature courses like E238, the map feature integrates with GoogleMaps, so my syllabus could move us around the world just as we will with our primary course readings

Drawbacks


  • Because of the familiar format, students may not see the geographical component first--which might lose some of the benefit of narrative mapping
  • The gigapixel option only works as a slideshow, unless you pay for the additional tool download
  • It may be so animated that students don't carefully read text
  • The map integration may be less useful for literary periods set before modern mapmaking

ThingLink 

Beginning of a technology guide


Benefits


  • Can work with any kind of image, including historic maps
  • Can embed multimedia like additional images, video, audio
  • A bit easier to work on as a team
  • Channels can allow images to be shared publicly with a class but not a wider audience

Drawbacks


  • Much harder to embed in outside resource like this one; works best as a self-contained project/product
  • Less linear, as different readers may click through icons in a different order
  • Can be hard to see the icons in order to see where to click for embedded media 

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