The students gain more knowledge and understanding of that field and can get questions answered. Students ask a NASA astronaut what life in space is like. Students ask an author about a particular book their class has been studying. Students ask an artist about a certain technique. Students ask a mathematician how to find a solution to a particular problem.
Students ask an employee of a community business about their job.
Students write a friend or relative in another state or country to ask about their culture. Students observe, e-mail, plot locations on a map, and keep journals about the traveler's experiences. By virtually traveling with the expedition leader, students gain knowledge in geography and a better understanding of cultural diversity. Students will have a purpose in their writing and an authentic audience. Students' writing and editing skills will improve.