One of the most exciting aspects of using the Web for instruction is the ability of the instructor to insert personal experiences into the instruction. With the relatively inexpensive hardware/software that has become available, teachers have the ability to become their own video/audio engineer. This ability can provide the basis for developing interactive instruction.

When travelling, I always make sure I take my camera. A recent trip to Las Vegas provided me with the opportunity to study the geology of the Red Rock Canyon area. Using information from the BLM (Bureau of Land Management) welcoming brochure, I produced this informational activity on Red Rock Canyon. It is unlikely that a traditional high school textbook in earth/space science could provide such a detailed and personal geological synopsis of the area.

Another aspect of developing one's own instruction, is the ability to link to significant outside sources in conjunction with personal experiences. On a trip to Alaska, I took not only a camera but also a GPS. I knew there was a server that allowed users to input latitude and longitude information with the resulting product being a topographic map of the area. As part of an instructional unit on topographic maps, I developed an activity that allowed students to view the topographic map of an area in Alaska and then view a photograph of the same area.

Taking this process one step further, an instructor can have several photographs, provide the lat/lon of a geographical feature, have students input the lat/lon into the server, and then have these students match the geographical features in the photographs to the server's topographic map. The possibilities become almost endless. The lesson (in my Web-textbook) previous to this activity, discussed topographic maps using an activity which required imaging software to measure distances and areas on a topographic map.

Unfortunately the activity is not available at this time. Not only does the instructor have the opportunity to develop personalized instructional information, but so do students. In fact this is the exciting aspect of using the Web, students can become teachers, and teachers students. What a way to change the "face" of education!