The California History/Social Science Project is using an action research model to investigate the use of online discourse in professional development and K-12 History/Social Science classrooms. There are three goals--to investigate ways of enhancing students' historical thinking and understanding; to use technology to manifest methodologies and authentic activities which could not be manifested otherwise; to use action research by teachers for promoting long-term teacher change in the classroom. The results from the first year were promising. Teacher change occurred in ways that teachers think about their classroom and in the implementation of methodologies supported by technology. Student change occurred in motivation and in participation in discourse activities. Teachers believe this led to more student engagement in historical thinking and understanding at a higher level. Given these positive indicators, this project will continue to quantify these results in more detail during the next 2 years. (Contains 11 references.) (Author)