Internet based projects can be a wonderful tool to get students engaged in their learning. There are a wide range of projects available today. Two that I am familiar with are The Globe Project (http://globe.gov/) and The Center for Innovation in Engineering and Science Education (http://www.ciese.org/currichome.html). Both involve a variety of studies that focus on the use of real-time data collected from around the world. The major discipline heading these projects is Environmental Science. Other examples include genetics, physical science, and engineering. A key benefit of such projects is that they allow for collaboration on research with students, teachers, and other professionals at a global level. Pretty cool! Other beneficial aspects of such projects are that they are authentic, project and inquiry based, as well as standards driven. One of the downfalls of the programs I am familiar with is that they are science and/or math based instead of being fully interdisciplinary. This is not to say that other types of real-time projects do not exist. Another challenge is that most projects have a research window which may not coincide with your teaching of the content.
Below are a few more links that offer listings of many internet-based projects:
http://hmsc.oregonstate.edu/visitor/sites/default/files/education-programs/docs/Using-Real-time_Data.pdf
http://www.ciese.org/nationalprojects.html
http://www.k12science.org/curriculum/national.html
I like the idea of web based projects since so much more resaerch is easier to do online rather that in traditional places (libraries, museums, etc) but beign that i will teach history I would guess that my biggest concern would be the reliability and integrity of the website for accuacy. But it a way for students to get involved in a project with a way to get them more involved....
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