Information, Competencies and Collaborative Teaching/Learning

The purpose of this paper is to survey the literature about current trends on several issues concerning technical information education including: 1. Information needs, user behaviors, access and availability of engineering information resources. 2. Information competencies as perceived by librarians and teaching faculty. 3. Initiatives encouraging collaborative teaching or learning to enhance the information competency of engineering and technology students. The author examines activities in these three areas, the role of professional societies, and the effect of technology in the classroom. Based on the results of this survey, the author tries to identify the main components in a system of technical communication as it pertains to the education of engineering students. A better understanding of this system can help in developing programs to prepare students in better managing technical information