Technology alone may not motivate students, but projects that allow students to utilize technology to make a positive difference in the world can entice them to both work and learn, teacher Bill Ferriter writes in this blog post. With the Common Core State Standards in nonfiction in mind, Ferriter had his students research the soda ban in New York City and create a blog for tweens about making healthy food choices. "They are also learning about the role that graphics can play in changing minds, learning about convincing statistics and reliable sources, and learning that learning can ACTUALLY be fun," Ferriter writes.