Abstract
The use of computers as information storage devices is increasing rapidly and further developments such as the Information Superhighway are leading to the use of interactive information systems (IIS) becoming standard information delivery services. In the past school curricula have included components of instruction given to developing information skills. There appears a need for change in school currricula to reflect changes in students' information skills.
This paper describes a study in which students were given instruction and practice in the use of an IIS in the form of a CD-ROM encyclopedia. After a period of instruction and independent use, students were tested to determine the levels of knowledge achieved. The study revealed that the instruction and practice resulted in high levels of development of low order syntactic knowledge and skills but failed to provide the semantic knowledge and understanding required for successful use of the more powerful features of the IIS. The consequences and implications for the content and form of school instructional programs are discussed.
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