The engaged learning projects transform the environment in the classrooms to one in which teachers and students operate in an inquiring mode. The trailblazer teachers, who are now accustomed to this environment, will mentor their peers to transform future changes in the learning environment. Students pursue solutions to real-world problems by asking and refining a question, debating ideas, making predictions, designing plans, gathering and analyzing information, drawing conclusions and communicating their ideas and knowledge to others. Artifacts put students on an even playing field. All students are capable of excelling.
Artifacts also help students build their portfolios.
In the project-based reading and writing classrooms, students discuss and test their ideas as well as challenge the ideas of others. Telecommunications allowed students to interact with a wider community of other students and outside experts to share information, resources, and ideas. Using technology in project-based reading and writing activities made the learning environment more authentic to students because the computer provided access to global information, expanded interaction and collaboration with outside experts, and emulated tools experts use to produce artifacts. As a result of participating in Read and Succeed activities the students have participated in developing solutions to real-life problems, refined questions, debated ideas, made predications, designed plans, gathered and analyzed information, drawn conclusions, and communicated their ideas and findings to others. The following examples of student artifacts and presentations document student knowledge and ability.