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When students first log in to their course, World Geography 234, they see the announcement page. One of the first announcements students saw was a welcome banner, which briefly explained the rationale for our using the program.

Additionally, the announcement area contained the expectations for what students would be assigned to do in the lab on "Blackboard Days." As shown below, it also contained information on upcoming quizzes and our class social service project.

Student tasks centered around several questions that I posed which were directly linked to readings or images. The two units students studied during the research period were related to population and culture. All of the student postings were completed in the Discussion Board section of Blackboard. A few examples of questions students had to answer follow:

• New Trier is in the process of celebrating its centennial. To commemorate this event, school officials are inviting students to contribute to a time capsule to be opened in 2100. What three items of "material" culture would you include? How do these items capture important attitudes, beliefs and values of New Trier teenagers today?
• You're an alien who has landed on earth. One of the first things you see outside your mothership is an empty diet coke can. What can you learn about American culture by studying this one element of material culture?
• How does the global status of women affect population?
• Do you think Canada is too uptight when it comes to their cultural protection laws? Explain.

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