Evaluation of hypertext in an activity learning environment

This paper presents a study which evaluates the use and efficiency of two c omputer learning tools for basic virology. The first, VIROLAB, is a simulat ion of a biology laboratory in which the learner uses virtual lab facilitie s to help defective viruses to multiply. The system also includes a hyperte xt that provides learners with some knowledge on virology. The second tool is the hypertext which has been extracted from VIROLAB and which is now con sidered as an independent learning environment. This study addressed two sp ecific questions: (1) which of the two tools was the most efficient for kno wledge acquisition, and (2) were there any differences in the use of the tw o hypertexts? Comparison of pre- and post-test scores showed that neither o f the two learning tools is better than the other. However, analysis of the navigation paths showed that VIROLAB users dissociated the reading of the integrated hypertext from the problem resolution activities. The implicatio ns of this finding for the design of the learning environment are discussed .