At the same time, it has characteristics which define and limit its use. One way of discovering Internet benefits and drawbacks is through teachers' stories. Teachers' stories are compelling, not only because they share experiences, but because they generate inquiry. A well told story reminds us of our own experiences, encouraging us to reinterpret them from another perspective. Each story is followed by questions and issues generated by educators like you, prompting further thought and discussion.
Some stories focus on questions of design.
In Confessions of a Fourth Grade Newbie, Glenn Lidbeck describes the evolution of his first online project. Realizing that fourth graders have a hard time conceptualizing the magnetism of the Earth, he creates a multi-school project to measure the Earth's magnetic field at different locations. Other stories look at how the Internet can motivate and engage students. Linda Maston's story, Something in the Air, tells how poor air quality and the Internet spark student interest in science. Using inexpensive equipment and an old computer, eighth graders conduct an ingenious environmental investigation.