Online Research and Media Skills Curriculum

Purpose and Vision of the Online Research and Media Skills (ORMS) Curriculum

The purpose of the online research and media skills (ORMS) curriculum is to prepare students for emerging literacy skills required in online environments. Simultaneously these new skills are designed to reinforce reading, writing, speaking, listening, and viewing of content area knowledge.

CTECS Library Media Centers are learning commons driven by collaboration between the librarian and the classroom teacher. This curriculum is both content based and skill driven incorporating a co-teaching model. The library media specialist provides expertise and instruction in the technical and pedagogical knowledge of using print and digital sources and publishing using digital tools. The academic/trade teacher provides the content knowledge of shaping instruction using both print and digital sources.

Curricular & Pedagogical Focus of Online Research and Media Skills

The ORMS curriculum is based on the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subject and the American Association of School Librarians Standards for 21st Century Learners. 

The curriculum is organized into three frameworks necessary for 21st century online research media skills.

  • Online Collaborative Inquiry
  • Online Content Construction
  • Online Reading Comprehension

In order for Connecticut Technical Education and Career System to graduate students that are college and career ready, learners must be able to apply the knowledge and dispositions necessary to utilize online research and media skills across a variety of contexts and all content areas.

21st Century Learner Expectations

Each student will complete a minimum of five ORMS exemplar-learning activities during their tenure at Connecticut Technical Education and Career System utilizing blended learning, a balance of face-to-face and online instruction. Students read a wide variety of print and digital sources to produce writing utilizing digital texts and tools. The curriculum showcases students’ abilities to use online research and media skills (ORMS) embedded across different content areas.

For more information about our programs please view CTECS Program of Studies.