According to P. Fawn Whittaker, the first reason for using the Internet with our students is that it has been found that electronic discourse tends to be more lexically and syntactically more complex than oral discourse and features a broad range of linguistic functions beneficial for language learning. A second reason for using the Internet is that it creates optimal conditions for learning to write, since it provides an authentic audience for written communication. A third reason for using the Internet is that it can increase students' motivation. In order for students to use the Internet, the teacher needs to teach them the basic steps and the language that goes with those steps. In addition to the Internet, students are able to do some concept mapping on the computer with the program Inspirations.
Concept mapping is a graphical system for understanding the relationship between concepts.
It is a way for them to show their knowledge and to make connections and sense of all the concepts they learn at any given time. Concept mapping was originally done on paper, but it has been found that the computer can make adaptation and manipulation an easier task. Once students are knowledgeable of the program, it is easier and faster for them to make changes and to add information to their maps. Another project in which students can be involved is Hyperstudio. After they use the Internet for research, they can make their reports on Hyperstudio.