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Efficacy of a map on search, orientation and access behaviour in a hypermedia system

Efficacy of a map on search, orientation and access behaviour in a hypermedia system
Efficacy of a map on search, orientation and access behaviour in a hypermedia system
Many researchers have proposed hypertext and hypermedia as superior learning environments over traditional linear-based approaches. At the same time, reports of disorientation amongst students working in these environments has become a topic of major concern. The study reported in this paper sets out to investigate the efficacy of the provision of maps on students' ability to search, orientation and access information in a hypertext-based learning task. The domain used required students to learn about the theory of tectonic plates. The results indicate that the greater use of maps led to less relevant searching behaviour and less effective search effort. In conclusion, it is argued that the concept of the spatial metaphor has not served the designers and students of hypertext and hypermedia environments well. Further, it is proposed that designers of non-linear learning environments would be better served by concentrating on the fundamental usability of their systems rather than attempting to introduce navigational aids, which themselves are a symptom of poor design.
hypertext, hypermedia, navigation, maps
0360-1315
263-279
Stanton, Neville
351a44ab-09a0-422a-a738-01df1fe0fadd
Correia, Ana Paula
c54489d2-8d03-4adf-b8c2-5e41647adc4b
Dias, Paulo
d9191e36-1998-495e-b7fe-76d25e2a4f59
Stanton, Neville
351a44ab-09a0-422a-a738-01df1fe0fadd
Correia, Ana Paula
c54489d2-8d03-4adf-b8c2-5e41647adc4b
Dias, Paulo
d9191e36-1998-495e-b7fe-76d25e2a4f59

Stanton, Neville, Correia, Ana Paula and Dias, Paulo (2000) Efficacy of a map on search, orientation and access behaviour in a hypermedia system. Computers & Education, 35 (4), 263-279. (doi:10.1016/S0360-1315(00)00038-5).

Record type: Article

Abstract

Many researchers have proposed hypertext and hypermedia as superior learning environments over traditional linear-based approaches. At the same time, reports of disorientation amongst students working in these environments has become a topic of major concern. The study reported in this paper sets out to investigate the efficacy of the provision of maps on students' ability to search, orientation and access information in a hypertext-based learning task. The domain used required students to learn about the theory of tectonic plates. The results indicate that the greater use of maps led to less relevant searching behaviour and less effective search effort. In conclusion, it is argued that the concept of the spatial metaphor has not served the designers and students of hypertext and hypermedia environments well. Further, it is proposed that designers of non-linear learning environments would be better served by concentrating on the fundamental usability of their systems rather than attempting to introduce navigational aids, which themselves are a symptom of poor design.

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More information

Published date: December 2000
Keywords: hypertext, hypermedia, navigation, maps

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 74171
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/74171
ISSN: 0360-1315
PURE UUID: 6e9b1c49-999d-4e23-9697-1ad3c2311197
ORCID for Neville Stanton: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0002-8562-3279

Catalogue record

Date deposited: 11 Mar 2010
Last modified: 14 Mar 2024 02:54

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Contributors

Author: Neville Stanton ORCID iD
Author: Ana Paula Correia
Author: Paulo Dias

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