Content samples
Big history covers a diverse range of events over an almost inconceivable period of time. The course uses a range of mechanisms explores many different relationships between these events and the contexts in which they occurred. Understanding them chronologically is key, and therefore timelines are an integral part of the big history course. But not just any timelines - timelines at a variety of scales to help depict the magnitudes of the topics we cover. A variety of learning tools (videos, animations, activity guides etc.) enable teachers to adapt the course content to their teaching styles. For example, in-class time may focus on group projects or discussion, with students absorbing online content for homework. Or the site may be used as a core element of the in-class experience. Teachers decide because teachers know best.
Viewers Guides
Main lectures are accompanied by viewers guides that include verbatim transcripts paired with definitions and critical thinking questions. They also include pages for note taking and homework. Download sample notebook: Walter Alvarez Lecture Guide.
Hands-on Activities
The course also features activities that make the rich information approachable by letting students build and test theories in practice. Download sample activity: How to Build a Spectroscope or Timelines of the Future.
Rich imagery
Rich imagery is used throughout the lectures to tell stories, provide context, and facilitate exploration. We've learned that unique content styles and formats provoke some of the richest thought and in-class discussion. In that spirit, we continue to invest in visual provocations and infographics. Explore one of our infographics: The Lifecycle of Stars.
Timelines
13.7 billion years is an enormous scale of time. This timeline attempts to plot that in one eye-shot:
Heres how the time scale would look if plotted into a single year, metaphorically speaking, that is. Notice the huge gap from the early beginnings to the formations of planets... lots of nothingness.
One of the central themes of big history is the idea of increasing complexity, represented here:
Videos
A variety of topics are supported by engaging videos. Here are two sample videos from the course:
Sal Khan on Calendar Notation
Animated "Intro to the Universe"
© 2011 Big History, LLC.
