Students are shaping the landscape and elevating the content, often with humor, wit and style. And though the quality of the work varies, one area of the Web has chosen to highlight the very best of our students' work and encourage their excellence. So when you are told by others that the Web is bad for children, that it is a waste of time, point them to the ThinkQuest library of Web sites. The ThinkQuest competition offers students an opportunity to collaborate with peers and adult coaches all over the world and contribute to the best of the Web. Sixty countries are involved.
Students compete for scholarships and cash prizes, but the experience itself provides rich rewards.
The first 28 grade school winning teams were announced May 18. I asked ThinkQuest vice president Bob Steen what the project contributes. On the educational side, the process of learning has changed completely. It is now possible for students to collaborate in the learning process with other students anywhere in the world. . . . Many kids have different learning modes, especially those who are into games and television.