One online experience I would use with students in a math classroom are WebQuests. A previous textbook used by the district I taught in provided WebQuests related to unit content. The WebQuests were not so much created to teach content but provided an opportunity for students to apply content from the course. More specifically, the WebQuests worked for students to apply and demonstrate an understanding of algebra content.
McGraw Hill WebQuest Projects
WebQuests for a math classroom serve as a summative assessment at the end of a unit. Depending on the WebQuest, such a task could be used as a quarterly project or assessment to evaluate student understanding of the implications of the content.
WebQuests offer opportunities for students to work collaboratively in small groups as well as individually. The WebQuest itself provides scaffolding for students walking them through the process and detailing specific information and tasks to complete. Simulations could be incorporated into the WebQuest that students complete to demonstrate knowledge and apply the information from class. Additionally, WebQuests could be extended to include individual or group presentations of the found information. The WebQuests linked above could also be used as an exam review and in turn as a study tool for students.
For a mathematics class, I think online field trips would be more challenging with students. The technology itself wouldn't be the challenge, ensuring that it was used effectively presents the greater challenge. Objectives would need to be carefully crafted and the final product reviewed to make sure the objectives were met by the activity. RSS feeds represent another online experience I think would be difficult for a mathematics classroom. The reasoning here is similar, the technology itself not being the difficulty but finding ways to effectively incorporate the use of the technology might take more thought.
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