What they are learning is that kids are more alike than different regardless of where they live. At Eastern Technical High School in Baltimore County, Sailor is used with a variety of classes, including math, chemistry, engineering, allied health, and nursing and English. In the English class, students use Department of Commerce economic statistics to develop a realistic career plan. The students scan the Occupational Outlook Handbook, research various trades, and review current employment rates and employment projections in different job areas, in different parts of the country. Such activities help students to better understand the job market and to make more informed choices about possible careers.
Students also come to the library media center on their own.
Many students in this economically diverse community do not have a modem at home, so they use the equipment before or after school, or during their lunch break. To acquaint them with Sailor's potential, the State Division of Library Development and Services provides awareness training for library media specialists and public and academic librarians. This awareness training has generated a grass roots movement among trainees and fostered use of the network. The grant, which began in January of 1994, provided funds to set up a training site at Eastern Technical High School, including the installation of 11 modems and phone lines in the library media center. Because inservice training is provided for teachers, they are experimenting with using computer menus to narrow down the information they are searching for.