Go to a Museum
Since the Web provides free admission to the finest museums and educational institutions, it's possible to really get into the topics one is studying. For example, your child can read a few books on Ben Franklin and write a report on his life.

Or you can jointly visit the Franklin Institute, a hands-on museum in Pennsylvania, where you can surf to Ben's grave site, explore his family tree, and check out the Benjamin Franklin National Memorial. The Franklin Institute site also includes recommended resource materials, enrichment activities, and a brief glossary about Old Ben.

By surfing, your children will be actively exploring history and you could also be learning many intriguing facts yourself. Hands On Science Centers Worldwide is a good reference site to use as an easy way to find more Hands-On Museums that are online.

State of the World
Maps are one of the best ways to visualize geography, and there are an abundance of maps available on the Web. These are not just flat, boring, sit-on-the-page type maps. Surfers will click on these maps to see current weather conditions, meet historical figures associated with places or find further resources about each location. Check out these really interesting and fun map resources:

Xerox PARC map viewer
WeatherNet
Civil War Battles by State

All you gotta do is ask
Scientist and scholars are found in droves on the Internet. There are many ways to communicate directly with someone who is an expert on the subject you are studying, whatever that subject may be. For example, I was recently desperate to find information on the topic of American Sign Language. Through National Public Radio's Plug in to Resources Section, I was able to find "submit a question" via email. A well known linguist sent a response, and answered my exact question. In fact, he even told me about several other interesting ideas I could use in my research. Here are several "Expert" sites for finding help online:

Pitsco Ask an Expert Site
Plug in to Resources Site
Mad Scientists Network

Talk it over
Sometimes you just need to talk to another student, and there are sites set aside just for student to student chats. At these sites, the students can ask each other questions, or share ideas.

Cyberteens Interactive
KidLink
Math Forum
Alamak Internet Chat

These are just a few ideas for students (of all ages) to make research and learning more fun and productive by using the Web.

Laura Minnigerode is a teacher, writer and web researcher. You can send her email at LMinniger@aol.com.