Experience gained from the world of work, and from talking with upperclassmen, has implications, I would suggest, for both teaching and learning. These three curriculum modules offer some illustrations.

Learner-centered To quote the American Psychological Association (Learner-Centered Psychological Principles: A Framework for School Redesign and Reform) -- "The learning of complex subject matter is most effective when it is an intentional process of constructing meaning from information and experience." None of the modules represents a true constructivist approach, but they all involve having the learner find and construct meaning in response to certain prompts.

Interactive The Internet is a natural interactive environment, so the structure of these curriculum modules creates interactivity. Answering questions by filling out and submitting a form (as with the Business Plan Researching module, for example) is representative of much that happens in the workplace these days. 

Problem-solving Abilities to learn, and to problem-solve are solidly founded on information literacy. Each step -- from recognizing the need for information, through finding quality resources -- is important. Students need direction, but they also need encouragement to engage and learn independently, to try different approaches. The modules support this approach.

Electronically integrative Materials that are electronic (word processing, spreadsheets, the Web) can be accessed and worked with integratively. The Business Plan Researching module, for example, offers students the option of responding to all the questions by opening up a word processing document and doing the work in that mode. The Nursing module has students create a word processing document and switch back and forth between the Internet and the document. In doing the Nursing and the Medical Office modules, students demonstrate their abilities not only to manage information resources, but also to accomplish good, focused Internet searching.

There are still books! Most of the modules expose students to specialized books within their discipline.

Mechanics Additionally, the modules illustrate how other useful techniques can emphasized. Students need to know how to save to disk, and print; how to open a new browser window; how to copy and paste. 

Different Skill Levels The Nursing module builds on the assumption that students have basic word processing skills and foundational abilities to access and use electronic resources and the Internet. The Medical Office and the Diagnostic Imaging modules presuppose basic Web page construction and Web researching skills. The Diagnostic Imaging module also has students using professional chat rooms for academic purposes, and using the Internet as a way to contact companies about their leading edge technologies. In the Diagnostic Imaging module, there is reference to students being aware of some social and ethical issues associated with Web use (e.g., importing an image into your Web page). For students coming from California's digitial high schools, or from schools that have incorporated electronic access techniques into their teaching over the last several years, it is reasonable to assume these skill levels. For others, the library might want to think about offering mini-courses, as referred to in the modules.