Computer experience, learning style, and hypermedia navigation

Abstract

This study focused on the extent to which prior computer-related experiences predicted linear and nonlinear navigation when using a hypermedia learning environment. Those with more years’ experience at working with computers and those with more authoring experience took more linear steps, whereas those with more data base experience and those with more hypermedia experience took fewer linear steps. Those with more years experience at working with computers, those with more programming experience, and those with more authoring experience had a lower percentage of nonlinear steps than those with more experience in those three areas. Those with more word-processing experience, more spreadsheet experience, and more hypermedia experience had a higher percentage of nonlinear steps than those with less experience in those three areas. Also, those with more hypermedia experience took less time than those with less hypermedia experience. A major implication of the study is that we can predict the extent to which a hypermedia user may engage in a hypermedia environment in a nonlinear way by knowing his or her experience in a variety of computer-related uses.