For this project, students work in pairs to conduct scholarly research about an author and design a website that other students or teachers could use for scholarly purposes. The authors' works designated for the project are in the public domain, so texts are linkable and available for scholarly pursuits. This project requires extensive research and writing and takes the place of a traditional research paper, while offering students an opportunity to engage in serious scholarship. The emphasis on scholarly research highlights the value of retrieving information from reliable sources. The project culminates with a presentation; students show their website to the class and discuss the content, as well as any interesting information uncovered during the research process. Students find this project engaging, informative, and more useful than writing an essay, as they enjoy working with technology and participating in a collaborative activity that is creative and scholarly.
