Social studies without walls: engaging students in online collaboration across district lines

Purpose Intercultural dialogue and collaboration are critical to social studies education. Yet over the past 30 years, schools in the USA have grown increasingly segregated by race and class. The purpose of this paper is to offer a possible response based in digital technology. Design/methodology/approach The authors describe a project called Classes Without Walls that links elementary schools in wealthy suburbs with those in impoverished urban centers. Students at the two schools engage in collaborative activities through online video conferencing. Findings The authors explore two sample lessons in depth: a virtual town tour and a social demographics scavenger hunt. Originality/value Such activities, they argue, can contribute toward cultural understanding and civic dialogue.