To make it easier for students to get an overview of how things correlate to each other timelines are great tools.
A few school subjects where timelines can be very useful:
History (no explanation necessary)
Math to show how math has developed over time.
Science subjects for instance to get a better understanding of how evolution has changed the world and what´s living at different times or how different inventions have developed over time.
Social studies for instance to understand and get a better overview of how politics have changed over time.
Languages to show how language has developed over time, to show how/why some languages are related to each other while others are not.
If you work as a teacher I´m sure you can come up with many more ideas where timelines are a good tool to use in education.
Examples of different programs/sites/apps you can use to make timelines. Let the students do the creating of timelines. They will enjoy the lessons more, you´ll get timelines you can use in other classes and you don´t have to spend as much time to prepare your lessons.
Gapminder world A statistical tool where you can compare different countries over time in a visual way. You can compare many different kinds of statistics. Works on Mac and PC. Download from the link above. Recommended!
MyHistro Requires registration. There is an EDU-version that I haven´t tried. Stories displayed on a map and a timeline. There is a free iPhone app.
Capzles Requires registration. Free. Visually the best looking timeline. You add pictures and movies to the timeline and you can add music as well. Is somewhat of a mix between a presentation tool and a timeline. You can tag the content, choose who that can watch the content, choose background and add blog posts. There is a chart, so you can see what other people have done.
Tiki-Toki Requires registration. The free version is limited (one timeline/account). EDU-account is 124 dollars/year (a teacher licens and 50 student accounts where each student can make 5 timelines).
Dipity Timelines online. A limited free version (only 3 timelines/free account) where you can link pics, video, social media and sound. Registration needed to get access.
Preceden Registration needed to get access. Free version limited to 5 happenings/timeline. If you want to unlock full version it´s a onetime payment of 29 dollars. A textbased tool (you cannot add images and video).
Readwritethink A very simple timeline where you write date and a text, next date, next text and so on. Easy to use, but limited result since it´s text only. There is a free app called RWT Timeline.
Timetoast A free online tool that requires registration. You can create timelines with pictures and links to texts.
Timeglider There is a limited free version that requires registration and it´s only free for students. They present their tool ”like Google maps, but for time”.
Timerime A free online tool that requires registration. You can create timelines with pics, video and links. There is an EDU-version for €149/year.
Timelinemaker Easy to use, but limited results. Suitable for younger kids. You fill in boxes and press a button and a timeline is generated.
Ourtimelines Textbased tool. Uses strong colors, which reminds of Internet pages during early Internet.Text can link to other pages.
World History A wallposter you can order that contains a timeline with very much historical information.
Conflict History Doesn´t work since may 2013. They write that the page might resurrect with new technique, but its uncertain. If it does it seems like a page worth visiting! The page shows world conflicts on a world map and on a timeline.
Apps (I haven´t tried these apps, so go to app store, download them and try them out!)
Timeline Cost 4 dollars
Timeline Builder Cost 5 dollars
Timestream Cost 5 dollars
Timeline 3D Cost 11 dollars
Timeline Maker Cost 5 dollars
A couple of timelines where you don´t create yourself, but that contains useful information
Amerian revolution Interactive timeline – A free app for iOS.
Minds of modern mathematics – A free app that is a timeline over math history and persons that have contributed.
Good luck creating timelines!