Using games to engage them, students are taught the central ideas in calculus. Technology can enhance inquiry-based learning, and students can become active and independent learners with access to more information than ever before. The Internet brings an unprecedented number of primary sources and ongoing research to the classroom. The Valley of the Shadow project, a story of two cities during the Civil War, allows students to explore the lives of the families of Civil War soldiers and reconstruct true life stories. Technology has the capability of bringing the world into the classroom and is dramatically changing the way we teach history.
Students can also become involved directly in scientific data collection.
Rarely have students been able to interact with scientists, artists, and businesspeople because their coming to classrooms was not possible. Literally dozens of projects are available to engage students and experts in critical thinking, explore topics in depth, and increase the authenticity of learning, not just for gifted and talented students but for all students. Students and teachers have used telecommunications tools to collaborate with colleagues or do research using resources located elsewhere. The technology now allows large-group discussions such as Web conferences or videoconferencing. Two or more classrooms in different parts of the country or the world can collaborate on a common topic.