StoryMapJS and TimelineJS are narrative, multimedia digital tools created by the Northwestern University Knight Lab.
StoryMapJS (https://storymap.knightlab.com/) is for spatial analysis: it operates like a slide presentation overlaid onto a map, with a description and multimedia for each geographic point.
Please note that this tool requires a Google account to use.
StoryMapJS Walkthrough
1. Go to https://storymap.knightlab.com, then log in with a Google account and create a new map.
2. Create your title slide (first slide) – it shows your title, introductory media and text, and all your geographic points.
3. Next, create location slides, which tie media, a title, and text to a particular geographic point, which you pick using the search bar on the map.
- For your media: you can upload images directly to StoryMap, or use the web URL from an image.
- You can also add URLs and embed media from a variety of other sources: Twitter, Flickr, YouTube, Vimeo, Google Maps, Wikipedia, SoundCloud, and more!
- There are options to change the map marker and the slide background.
- FYI: you can drag and drop your slides to reorder them.
4. Check out the Options button: the settings here allow you to change the settings of your StoryMap – including changing the map type.
5. Take a peek at the final version of your map using the Preview tab at the top lets you see what your map looks like to viewers.
6. Don’t forget to save as you go – and also publish your changes so that they are reflected in the published version.
7. Click the Share button to get the link to your map – you can use this link to share your map with others. You can also use the provided embed code to embed your map on a webpage.
Try It Yourself!
Make a quick map (3-5 slides) showcasing either:
- your life journey – past, present, and where you hope to go in the future
- OR the life journey of a character in a recent book / TV show / movie you have enjoyed (note: character’s journey must take place on our Earth for mapping purposes)
Don’t forget to include both text and multimedia!