Every Student Has Something to Offer

By designing student projects that involve a wide range of skills and different kinds of knowledge, teachers can increase the likelihood that all students will have something to offer to the group. Students who offer their thoughts, suggestions, expertise, and advice become more involved in the process of collaboration and have the experience of being a valuable contributor to the group. In the process, their self-esteem rises. Even if students previously had little success in learning activities, they may be very successful in a technology-rich classroom in which they are involved and feel valued. Technology-supported projects are ideal for increasing student involvement because they typically involve such a diverse set of roles (word processing, computer graphics, database design, and video editing, in addition to planning, design, and research).