HYPERTEXT INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAMS AND LEARNER CONTROL - A RESEARCH REVIEW

Hypertext provides a flexible environment in which to explore informat ion. This makes it suitable for use with instructional software where students can eschew a linear progression for a more individualised exp loration of the material. When designing instructional hypertext progr ams, decisions must be taken on the degree of learner control rather t han program control to include. Learner control gives to the individua l learner a control over the learning strategy; program control impose s upon the learner, to some degree at least, that strategy. The articl e discusses the arguments for and against learner control of hypertext environments in an instructional context and reviews the research evi dence on learner control.