Communication media in basic networked projects typically include email , listservs , forms on Web sites , chat, or videoconferencing . Participating classes usually organize their research findings and report their results directly to their partner sites using these basic communication technologies. More ambitious networked projects may have students organize their own findings through designing and developing Web sites to showcase their research and learning. Guidelines for developing Web projects are discussed in the next section. Examples of the two types of basic networked projects discussed below are summarized on the Project Sites page.
Students become traveling companions asking questions and providing suggestions for travel routes.
Travelers perform research to report answers and enlightened students about what they learn and the resources they encounter. Virtual field trips allow students to virtually visit and learn about places, people, and events they cannot experience first hand. Some projects ask students to contribute poetry, stories, experiences, thoughts, or other writing or they ask students to investigate research questions. Students learn to appreciate each other's cultures, contributions, and customs. Sometimes students help experts with important research by reporting scientific phenomena in their area.