Collaborative projects often are the most memorable learning experiences for students. But the projects must be well-designed and run by teachers who are knowledgeable and well-trained, especially if they are online projects.

A number of web sites provide proven models for online collaborative projects. These projects have been improved and honed over a number of years and iterations. Moreover, they come with built-in contacts to students and teachers all around the world who are working on the same projects and therefore can provide extremely valuable perspectives and enhance the collaborative aspect.

Here are some web sites that provide lesson plans for collaborative projects:

1. Annenberg/CPB Learner.org (http://www.learner.org)

2. CIESE, Center for Improved Engineering & Science Education (http://k12science.ati.stevens-tech.edu/)

3. Classroom Connect Quests (http://www.classroom.com)

4. Discovery.com Expedition Adventure

(http://www.discovery.com/guides/expedition/expedition.html)

5. Educational Web Adventures (http://www.eduweb.com)

6. The Franklin Institute Online (http://www.fi.edu)

7. Global Schoolhouse Projects Registry (http://www.gsn.org)

8. iEARN, International Education and Resource Network (http://www.iearn.org)

9. IECC, Intercultural eMail Classroom Connections (http://www.iecc.org)

10. JASON Project (http://www.jason.org)

11. KIDLINK's KIDPROJ (http://www.kidlink.org/KIDPROJ)

12. NASA Quest (http://quest.arc.nasa.gov)

13. NASA SpaceLink (http://www.spacelink.nasa.gov)

14. NOMADS Online Classroom Expeditions (http://www.polarhusky.com)

15. OnlineClass (http://www.onlineclass.com)

16. SchoolWorld Internet Projects (http://www.schoolworld.asn.au/projects.html)

17. SitesALIVE! (http://www.sitesalive.com)