Pathfinder is a graphic theoretic technique used to analyze proximity data. This study evaluates its validity: (1) for representing and comparing individuals' navigation through a computer-based hypermedia environment; and (2) for generating an empirically-derived path that represents a set of individual navigational paths during computer-assisted…

Discusses Web-based learning tools and reports results from a study at the University of Victoria that compared and evaluated two commercially available learning tools. Considers usability issues and discusses navigation, customization, student management, content creation, and students' perceptions. (Author/LRW)

Explains the sport of orienteering in which participants use detailed topographic maps and compasses to reach control points along a course. Describes the history of the sport and its minimal success in the United States. Presents several versions of the sport and identifies the demographics of participants. (KS)

Describes two studies of college students that examined the effects of navigational aids on navigation and learning in hypertext. The first examined the effects of spatial maps and textual contents lists on students' ability to locate information; the second experiment compared a spatial map, a conceptual map and no aid on both navigation and…

Discussion of changes in the banking industry focuses on an analysis of 12 Internet banking operations in the United Kingdom. Topics include delivery strategies; customer demand and requirements; and an evaluation of banking Web sites that considers speed, content and design, navigation, interactivity, and security. (LRW)

Reviews published findings from empirical studies of hypermedia learning and cognitive styles and classifies them into five themes: nonlinear learning, learner control, navigation in hyperspace, matching and mismatching, and learning effectiveness. Presents a learning model and discusses implications for the design of hypermedia learning systems.…

Reports on two pilot studies conducted in the United Kingdom, one at a university library and one at a public library, that investigated the use of electronic books. Both studies raised concerns regarding the usability of the products and conclude that improvements are needed in terms of portability, readability, and navigability. (LRW)

Global positioning system (GPS) has many uses. They include navigation, location finding, vehicle tracking, surveying, autonomous control of highway construction equipment, scientific activities, asset location and entertainment. The GPS is a constellation of 24 satellites located in a 10,000-mile radius orbit in a way that allows for at least six…

The need to support users of the Internet with the selection of information is becoming more important. Learners in complex, self-organising Learning Networks have similar problems and need guidance to find and select most suitable learning activities, in order to attain their lifelong learning goals in the most efficient way. Several research…

This guide was created to accompany workshops on learning to use electronic networks. It is less than a complete introduction to networks, but is a good tool for those learning to use them. An introduction defines networks, discusses the most important of them, and provides other useful concepts. Understanding and using electronic mail are…

Orienteering is land navigation through unknown countryside with map and compass. This article describes an orienteering program in the Action Education Curriculum, State University of New York, College at Purchase. (KM)

This is the fifth in a series on shortened versions of the Avionics Fundamentals and Aviation Electronics Technician R (Radar) Courses. The first four studies indicated that the initial revisions of the courses led to substantial savings in training time, but that the graduates from the revised courses were slightly inferior to graduates from the…

Scientists often use the "slingshot effect" (also called the "gravity assist") of the gravitational field of a planet to increase or decrease the velocity of a spacecraft. Examples of this effect, puzzling aspects, a qualitative explanation, details of necessary calculations, a thermodynamic analogy, and other topics are discussed. (JN)

Effective navigation is becoming more and more critical to the success of electronic commerce (E-commerce). It remains a challenge for educational technologists and Web designers to develop Web systems that can help customers find products or services without experiencing disorientation problems and cognitive overload. Many E-commerce Web sites…