The influences of a student's prior knowledge and desired goal on the difficulties and benefits associated with using hypertext were examined in this study. Participants, 12 students from an undergraduate course in educational psychology, were assigned to either the low or high prior knowledge category. Within these two groups, subjects were…

The DR-LINK (Document Retrieval through Linguist Knowledge) search system was created to help automate the process that research librarians use to convert information needs, as stated by users, into the information retrieval process. DR-LINK resulted from participation in the United States Government initiative called Tipster that was sponsored by…

This experimental study investigated internal (psychological characteristics) and external (World Wide Web site features) factors influencing learning and disorientation in Web navigation. The research design was a two-factors ANOVA (ANalysis Of VAriance) with mode of navigation (linear, nonlinear) and distracters (i.e., the presence of…

This paper describes a hypermedia system that can be used to teach electrical engineering at the university level. The system has a decision-making and data-handling capacity which serves to guide both teacher and student as to the degree of students' acquisition of learning objectives. The main advantages of the system are: (1) guidance in the…

Provides strategies for effective Internet searches. Categorizes queries into four types and describes tools: subject lists; indexes/directories; keyword search engines; Usenet newsgroups; and special purpose search tools. Discusses the importance of deciphering information and adjusting to changes. (AEF)

Describes the Clearwater (Florida) Public Library Web site which was created as a response to the growing use of the Internet for accessing information. Topics include design considerations; users; text-based navigation links; access speed; ease of use; value-added service; what information and services to include; and future possibilities. (LRW)

A high school library media specialist advises teaching search engine skills by incorporating them into existing instructional units. Describes how search engines were introduced in an eighth-grade computer literacy class. Presents class activities, and provides tips for teachers. Includes addresses for eight search engines and three sites…

One means of Web use evaluation is through analysis of server-generated log files. Various log file analysis techniques and issues are presented that are related to the interpretation of log file data. Study findings indicate a number of problems; recommendations and areas needing further research are outlined. (AEF)

Chronicles one professor's use of several electronic resources currently available to teacher educators, focusing on his earlier use of microcomputers and CD-ROM for secondary mathematics education and examining his current use of such Internet resources as electronic discussion groups, gopher services, and file transfers. (SM)

Addresses issues related to implementing a variety of computer-science courses on the World Wide Web and in particular how end-user interaction has been facilitated in the courseware. Topics include media support; examples of Web-based interactive hypermedia in courseware; navigation through the courseware; and automated courseware assessment.…

Discusses new roles for school librarians as electronic access to information increases, including instructional partners with classroom teachers; information specialists; Internet navigators; evaluators of information found on the Internet; program administrators; staff developers; and parent Internet educators. Lists pertinent Web sites. (LRW)

Describes the "American Journey" series of CD-ROM archives that contains hundreds of primary sources, such as letters, diary entries, paintings, posters, and audio recordings. Addresses how to navigate and employ the documents from the archive and the CD-ROM's potential for developing historical thinking. Provides ideas for enhancing history…

This paper promotes further discussion and analysis of interactivity in learning environments and contains a classification of interaction types appropriate for consideration in multimedia settings. Through an examination of related factors associated with navigation and control, a matrix of interactive dimensions is proposed. (Author)

Considers the potential of interactive multimedia and argues that in order to design effective interactive learning environments, a user-centered approach must be taken that is based on human-computer interaction and educational theory. Discusses the learning process, navigation strategies, individual preferences, and integration into the…

This study shows how users access relevant information in a visualized document space and determine whether BiblioMapper, a visualization tool, strengthens an information retrieval (IR) system and makes it more usable. BiblioMapper, developed for a CISI collection, was evaluated by accuracy, time, and user satisfaction. Users' navigation…