Network Galleries, Interactive Maps and Timelines for Teaching: A Visual History of Sociology to Promote Knowledge of Sociologists and Their Works

This presentation introduces an innovative digital tool that uses images and interactive visual representations to explore the evolution of sociology from its origins to the present day. Through a series of dynamic web pages, the platform offers galleries of sociologists organized chronologically, timelines mapping major theoretical schools, and visual networks displaying the influence between authors and theories. The tool also includes relational databases and concept maps that link sociologists to their works, theories, and geographical contexts.

This presentation aims to highlight the pedagogical value of these interactive visual tools in teaching sociology, both in academic environments and socio-community learning spaces. By using visualizations, students and educators can draw connections between different theoretical currents and authors, promoting a more inclusive, participatory, and accessible approach to learning. These visual tools foster collaborative and democratic learning, encouraging dialogue and engagement among users.

We argue that this creative, interactive approach not only enhances the understanding of sociology but also embodies a more experiential and experimental form of education, allowing students and educational communities to draw connections between different theoretical currents and authors. The use of these innovative formats offers an alternative to traditional teaching methods, inviting students to explore the discipline through visual interaction.