Hypertext Interface Design and Structural Knowledge Acquisition.

Hypertext is well-suited for educational applications where open learning and knowledge exploration is desired. In such applications, principles of good hypertext interface design should be employed to avoid navigational problems so as to maximize learning. Interface design, however, may also directly enhance acquisition of a particular knowledge structure. An interface that is based upon an expert's structural knowledge map may assist novice learners in developing a more sophisticated knowledge structure more closely resembling that of an expert. Pathfinder networks have been used successfully to differentiate expert and novice knowledge structures. The procedures described in this paper were used to design a structured interface for use in a research study currently in progress. Two microcomputer programs were used to develop the interface: The Knowledge Network Orientation Tool (KNOT) was used to create the pathfinder network, and Asymetrix Toolbook for the hypertext application. (Contains 19 references.) (Author/JLB)