| The Synchronoptic Concept |
The Synchronoptic History Chart is a timeline using visual art forms (maps,
graphics, colours) in combination with historical information. Its main
purpose is to convey a perspective of world historical events, and to
enable the reader to hold simultaneously in mind of what was happening
in widely separated parts of the earth.
Because such a diagram makes it
possible to see many things at the same time, it is called a Synchronoptic
Chart. Synchronoptical means "seeing at the same time".
Synchronoptic views will help to see relationships between seemingly unrelated things, thus provoking a journey of discoveries. An essential factor that fosters new discoveries is juxtaposition: the trick of putting things together that weren't put together that way before. Is there a link between Gutenberg and the Reformation ? Is the flowering of India connected with the decline of Rome or China ? A spatial representation of time has obvious educational advantages: history can now be understood by simple perception without the terrible litany of memorizing dates. History is no longer learned but viewed. |