I enjoyed Coulter's article "What's it like where you live?" In it, he presents interesting examples of using technology as a way of enhancing knowledge about content areas as well as a way for students to display and share what they have learned.
I think it was important that the students had gathered some firsthand knowledge about the environment they were studying before using the technology. It was only after gathering prior knowledge that students used technology to discover more about the environment directly around them, as well as that of places far away.
Using technology in this way holds great potential for students to connect with events and occurences both near and far. The students in the article seemed like they were able to learn about their local area in depth, as well as compare and contrast it with other climates and areas in other parts of the continent. What a strong tool to assist with inquiry, whether scientific or otherwise!
The idea of bringing the outside world into the classroom is a good one--probably both intersting in terms of engagement with material as well as feeling more deeply connected to the curriculum. I would like to do something similar in my classroom--possibly with either science or social studies.
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