Online searching in transition - The importance of teaching "interaction" in library and information science education

Recent developments in information retrieval technology have created a new searching environment in which "interaction" is a central process. A new ge neration of interactive interfaces and Web-accessible databases challenge t he traditional search strategies employed by users and require new interact ive searching skills. In order to help future librarians and information sc ientists adapt to this new searching environment, it is the responsibility of library and information science educators to introduce "interaction" int o online searching training. The topic of interaction is currently receivin g much research attention, and the authors suggest the need to incorporate these research results into teaching and practice.