Nice theory. How does that work in real life?
We've started an after-school learning center in inner-city Boston called the Computer Clubhouse (www.tcm.org/clubhouse/). We let kids explore their interests, with support from adult mentors, and we've seen group projects organize on their own. One team wanted to create a laser light show. Some of the children worked on the computer program, some worked on the mechanism for the laser light, others on the math of the patterns the laser might draw. There was lots of support, but it wasn't preplanned. We want to give kids enough freedom so they can explore their own fantasies, but we also want to give them enough support to help make their fantasies come true.