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…

Describes functionality and user interface issues associated with the design of an automated system that provides a visually based online index to multimedia information for higher education. Topics include online lectures; bibliographic access; and the need for a hypermedia system that presents an integrated view of the materials with graceful…

A portal is the digital infrastructure for an online campus. Community portals, online service portals, and enterprise-wide platforms represent the three basic portal variations available for online campuses. They are differentiated by the offices represented, the campus audience served, and benefits provided to the school as a whole. (PGS)

This study of undergraduates investigates how cognitive style, online database experience, and task type influence users' search behavior on the Web. Considers time spent, the number of nodes visited, search performance, navigational style, and ways to improve Web interfaces and Web user training programs. (Author/LRW)

Reviews the top periodical databases for elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools based on the opinions of library media specialists and teachers. Explains the evaluation criteria which include searchability; navigability; help available; appearance, including consistency of page design; reading level; speed; document printing and…

Describes a study of university students that examined the influences of navigation in hypertext learning environments and discusses advantages and disadvantages of hypertext as instructional media. Discusses active (self-directed) versus passive (pre-sequenced) access; knowledge acquisition; emotional outcomes; and knowledge utilization with a…

The Virtual Grand Tour (VGT) is a paradigm for integrating a presentation of an overview of a larger subject with the possibility of launching at any time an exploratory study of a given sub-topic. The name derives from the paradigm's emulation of those 18th-century travels intended to educate (especially) young, affluent British men; today, with…

As more archival metadata and archival records become available online, providing effective interfaces to those materials is increasingly important to give users access. This article describes five approaches from the hypertext and visualization research communities which can be used to improve such access: (1) navigating hierarchical structures,…

University students participated in a research project on communities and conservation on Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. Students contributed by gathering data with various methods that will be compiled in a GIS. Living in three villages at different elevations on the mountain, students facilitated GPS mapping, a random survey of over 90…

What would it take for libraries to provide their patrons with the same kind of success in finding information using their resources as they achieve with Google, and as quickly? This author asserts that the answer is not that complicated: be more like Google, and then move beyond Google. With the technology available right now, this is not an…

This paper describes an approach for developing adaptive electronic textbooks and presents InterBook, an authoring tool based on this approach which simplifies the development of adaptive electronic textbooks on the World Wide Web. The following topics are discussed: (1) content structuring, including the domain and user models, the glossary, and…

A new Courseware Development Environment (CoDE) is currently being developed for Hyperwave World Wide Web servers. CoDE provides instructional designers with an easy-to-use yet powerful environment to develop online training; students have the ability to access this training using a standard Web browser. Functionality of the Hyperwave server is…

A variety of learning activities are presented in this workbook, one of three related documents prepared to teach the skills essential for safe boating behavior in all recreational boating activities. Twenty workbook activities are correlated with material covered in class sessions and information contained in the resource manual developed for the…