From information searching to learning: A comparison of contrasting hypertextual menu designs for computer-based instructional documents

The introduction of the hypertext concept and the advancement of computer technologies have brought new opportunities for learning through electronic documents. However, studies comparing information searching in linearly and non-linearly organized texts cannot provide useful guidelines for implementing computer-based instructional documents if search tasks and menu designs are not clearly classified and described. This study examined the influence of three different combinations of structures and menu designs on users' attitude, performance, and learning in five different search tasks. The three types of combinations studied were: (a) an explicit menu signaling hierarchical structure where cross-referencing was not supported (EXH--explicit and hierarchical), (b) an explicit menu signaling hierarchical structure in which cross-referencing capability was embedded (EXN--explicit and network), and (c) an embedded menu signaling both hierarchical structure and cross-referencing capability (EMN--embedded and network). Based upon the specificity, complexity and boundary of the search targets, the five types of searches studied were when the target was: (a) simple and fully known, (b) simple but only partially known, (c) complex and fully known, (d) complex but only partially known, and (e) complex and the condition for terminating the search was unclear.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Education

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2011

Author dc:creator

• Lai, Yee-Rong

Contributors dc:contributor

• Waugh, Michael L.

• Education, Technology of
• Education, Curriculum and Instruction

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 1994 Lai, Yee-Rong

Language dc:language

eng

Identifier

AAI9503247
(UMI)AAI9503247

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/23254