Students in Josh Tuttle’s class at Westhampton Beach Middle School have embarked on a collaborative learning project with middle schoolers in Wooster, Connecticut, as part of a study on the Civil War. 

With the aid of Google Hangouts and Docs, Tuttle’s students are working alongside their Connecticut counterparts to research and prepare projects on the main battles and political causes of the Civil War, as well as its chief figures and key writings. The students will present their research via Skype in June.

The lesson has not only allowed the students to delve more deeply into their Civil War studies, Tuttle noted, but is also providing them with an opportunity to practice communicating remotely. 

“More and more companies are offering opportunities for employees to work remotely, and colleges offer online classes where students work together online,” he pointed out.