Hypertext Comprehension Research Articles

The role of executive functions in adolescents' hypertext comprehension

The role of executive functions in adolescents' hypertext comprehension

“Google and me together can read anything.” Online reading strategies to develop hypertext comprehension in ESL readers

If we are to build in our students, literacy skills relevant for the 21st century, reading classrooms need to take into account the changing nature of texts that our students are required to read in real-world contexts (Alexander & The Disciplined Reading and Learning Research Laboratory, 2012). This paper exhorts ESL teachers to use online texts or hypertexts, in addition to print textbooks, in the reading classroom. The use of hypertexts can increase the literacy participation of students by making reading authentic, and ensuring literacy skills they acquire more meaningful and productive (Coiro, Killi, & Castek, 2017). In the reading classroom where this research was located, it was observed that readers who scored low on reading comprehension tests based on print texts demonstrated higher levels of comprehension while performing on tests based on hypertexts. The study was conducted to identify the reading strategies used by these readers. It was found that ESL readers were able to overcome deficits in their prior knowledge (topic familiarity) and/or language proficiency by using specific reading and navigating strategies. This paper proposes that strategy training in the use of newer reading and navigating strategies might help develop online reading comprehension expertise and build independent reading habits in ESL readers.

Comprehension of networked hypertexts in students with hearing or language problems

The compensatory effects of a graphic overview and the effects of students' cognitive-linguistic skills on the comprehension of networked hypertexts were investigated in students with hearing or language problems. Networked hypertext comprehension of 28 deaf/hard-of-hearing (DHH) students and 33 students with Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) was compared to that of 77 hearing students with a comparable reading level and 60 hearing students of a comparable age. The results showed lower networked hypertext comprehension of DHH students and students with DLD compared to hearing students of the same age, but not to those of the same reading level. Hypertext comprehension was mainly predicted by vocabulary level. Across groups, students with lower vocabulary benefitted from a graphic overview in comprehending networked hypertexts. It was concluded that although DHH students and students with DLD have more problems with comprehension of networked hypertexts than hearing students without language problems, the difficulties are predominantly caused by their generally lower vocabulary size.

EFL medical students’ metacognitive strategy use for hypertext reading comprehension

The ability to read English efficiently and effectively is important for medical students because they have to read a lot of medical texts published in English. This is challenging especially for non-native speakers. This study measures Taiwanese medical students’ self-perceived use of metacognitive strategies while reading printed texts and hypertexts, and also the potential impact of hypertext on English reading comprehension. The results of the study showed that the strategies used the most by the printed text and hypertext groups were problem-solving strategies, followed by global strategies; whereas support strategies were least used. Learners in the printed text group reported more strategy use of reading slowly and using background information than the learners in the hypertext environment. A significant reading improvement and positive correlations were found between the strategies of guessing content, checking guesses, and guessing unknown words on hypertext comprehension enhancement. Such results suggested that the majority of students frequently used the three specific strategies and the degree of such strategy uses was reliably predicted by their comprehension scores. Based on the investigation results, limitations and future research are discussed and presented.

Hypertext comprehension of deaf and hard-of-hearing students and students with specific language impairment

This paper provides insight into the reading comprehension of hierarchically structured hypertexts within D/HH students and students with SLI. To our knowledge, it is the first study on hypertext comprehension in D/HH students and students with SLI, and it also considers the role of working memory. We compared hypertext versus linear text comprehension in D/HH students and students with SLI versus younger students without language problems who had a similar level of decoding and vocabulary. The results demonstrated no difference in text comprehension between the hierarchically structured hypertext and the linear text. Text comprehension of D/HH students and students with SLI was comparable to that of the students without language problems. In addition, there was a similar positive predictive value of visuospatial and not verbal working memory on hypertext comprehension for all three groups. The findings implicate that educational settings can make use of hierarchically structured hypertexts as well as linear texts and that children can navigate in the digital world from young age on, even if language or working memory problems are present.

Scanning and deep processing of information in hypertext: an eye tracking and cued retrospective think‐aloud study

AbstractWhen students solve problems on the Internet, they have to find a balance between quickly scanning large sections of information in web pages and deeply processing those that are relevant for the task. We studied how high school students articulate scanning and deeper processing of information while answering questions using a Wikipedia document, and how their reading comprehension skills and the question type interact with these processes. By analyzing retrospective think‐aloud protocols and eye‐tracking measures, we found that scanning of information led to poor hypertext comprehension, while deep processing of information produced better performance, especially in location questions. This relationship between scanning, deep processing, and performance was qualified by reading comprehension skills in an unexpected way: Scanning led to lower performance especially for good comprehenders, while the positive effect of deep processing was independent of reading comprehension skills. We discussed the results in light of our current knowledge of Internet problem solving.

Novices' need for exploration: Effects of goal specificity on hypertext navigation and comprehension

The present study examines the effects of general, medium specificity, and specific instructions on hypertext navigation and comprehension scores. Undergraduate students (N = 45) were assigned to the different hypertext conditions, and navigation patterns were extracted through cluster analysis. Control subjects (N = 45) performed the same tasks, but using paper texts. Our results suggest that novices are only affected by the specificity of instructions after an exploration phase. Also, an ANOVA showed no significant differences in comprehension scores across conditions, supporting the fact that hypertext comprehension is directly affected by navigation paths. Implications for research and education are discussed.

Exploring demographic and motivational factors associated with hypertext reading by English as a foreign language (EFL) students

This study investigates nontraditional students’ of English as a foreign language self-reports of the hypertext learning experience. It determines whether factors such as gender, age, proficiency level, and hypertext learning experience influence predicting hypertext reading achievement. The subjects of this study were 23 nontraditional English majors (9 males and 14 females). Their learning efficiency was rated as low to intermediate. The primary investigation found that students generally perceived that they should have control in operating the designed hypertext system because most did not find it difficult. In addition, students could accomplish the reading tasks more quickly and easily without much mental effort. Females, older adults, and low-proficiency learners expressed more positive feedback and willingness to use the hypertext system in future compared with the other groups, although no significant differences were observed among those variables on hypertext learning experience. Hypertext comprehension performance was significantly influenced only by the factor of proficiency level. Its impact was negative and moderate. Therefore, it is suggested that the use of hypertext system demonstrated the tendency to particularly improve low-proficiency learners’ reading comprehension. Limitations and recommendations for future research are presented and discussed in light of the results of the study.

An investigation of scaffolded reading on EFL hypertext comprehension

<span lang="EN-US">With the rapid growth of computer technology, some printed texts are designed as hypertexts to help EFL (English as a foreign language) learners search for and process multiple resources in a timely manner for autonomous learning. T</span><span lang="EN-US">he purpose of this study was to</span><span lang="EN-US"> design a hypertext system and examine if a 14-week teacher-guided print-based and hypertext reading intervention might benefit non-traditional EFL students’ reading comprehension. Non-traditional EFL students are older students with greater work experience. The primary investigation finding revealed no significant difference in comprehension between the teacher-guided print-based and hypertext intervention conditions, though a significant mean improvement was found after hypertext learning. EFL learners’ attitudes also supported that both teacher-guided print-based and hypertext interventions merit reading comprehension performance. In addition, there appears to be a significantly strong and positive relationship between the perceived usefulness of hypertext reading and attempt of future hypertext use, suggesting that the majority of non-traditional EFL learners made a positive willingness and prediction to use the hypertext system in their future reading, but that the degree of usefulness of hypertext reading was not reliably predicted by their hypertext comprehension scores. Based on the investigation results, limitations and future research are discussed and presented.</span>

Hypertext: Its Nature and Challenges for College Students

Reading academic hypertext documents in college brings a new level of complexity that changes the definition of college reading and literacy. Knowing how to read these unpredictable, nonlinear texts requires familiarity and practice. The author describes the nature and usefulness of hypertext, reviews the challenges of reading hypertext, and offers reading strategies for college students. The article includes research on the characteristics of hypertext, theoretical underpinnings of hypertext comprehension, disorientation issues, design features for navigation and coherence, and specific comprehension strategies for college hypertext assignments.

Fostering Active Readers: A Collaborative Map Creation Activity for Deep Comprehension

Fostering Active Readers: A Collaborative Map Creation Activity for Deep Comprehension

Reading skills and children’s navigation strategies in hypertext

Prior research has identified two important navigation strategies that have a clear impact on hypertext comprehension: link selection and overview processing strategies. The first relate to the order in which students select hyperlinks while trying to comprehend a hypertext, whereas the second relate to when and for how long students process navigation overviews, a text device that conveys the text structure by displaying sections, titles and their relations. Most prior research in navigation strategies has been conducted with undergraduate students. We extend prior research by exploring the navigation strategies used by sixth-graders while reading a hypermedia system. We also investigate how reading skills relate to the use of navigation strategies, and how both shape students’ comprehension in hypertext. Results from an electronic reading study replicated in sixth-graders the results on navigation strategies previously found in undergraduate samples. In addition, the results revealed that reading skills predicted the use of link selection but not of overview processing strategies. We discuss our results in light of new models of electronic reading proficiency, and propose some instructional guidelines to improve children’ electronic reading proficiency.

Using latent semantic analysis to enhance the comprehensibility of hypertext systems

Hypertext documents are pieces or nodes of information connected to each other through hyperlinks, which is the basis for more complex learning technologies as e-learning platforms or electronic encyclopaedias. Because of its extensive use, there is a need for procedures and techniques that help authors to enhance the comprehensibility of hypertext. This paper presents a number of cognitive models that explain how learners navigate and comprehends hypertext documents. The CoLiDeS and CoLiDeS+ models describe how people navigate when they try to find specific information, while the hypertext comprehension model addresses knowledge acquisition when their goal is to comprehend hypertext contents. Some problems predicted by these models that affect the comprehensibility of hypertexts are discussed. In addition, a number of procedures are described that uses latent semantic analysis (LSA) free-text tools in order to assess and improve their usability and comprehensibility.

Interaction between prior knowledge and concept-map structure on hypertext comprehension, coherence of reading orders and disorientation

The study examined the interaction effects of prior knowledge and hypertexts structure (network vs. hierarchy) on comprehension. Comprehension was investigated analyzing jointly three dependent variables: comprehension outcomes, coherence of the reading sequences and feelings of disorientation. The results supported most of the assumptions showing an interaction effect on each measure. For low prior knowledge readers, a hierarchical structure improved comprehension performance, helped them to follow coherent reading sequences and reduced their feelings of disorientation. For high prior knowledge readers, comprehension performance and feelings of disorientation were not affected by the type of structure. Moreover, prior knowledge was a relevant resource to cope with the cognitive requirements of reading non-linear texts. In the network condition, prior knowledge supported better comprehension, led the readers to follow more coherent reading sequences and limited their feelings of disorientation. The discussion dealt with processes based on prior knowledge involved in hypertext comprehension, and stressed the need for conducting further investigations on the nature of the on-line inferences and on relations between performance, navigation and disorientation.

The Role of Reading Order and Monitoring Skills During Hypertext Comprehension

In this paper we discuss two experiments on the role that comprehension monitoring skills play in selecting the reading order of hypertextual information and comprehending this information. In the first experiment, learners who could be characterized as learners with low prior knowledge comprehended the hypertext better when they selected a coherent reading order. Further, number of links per page had no effect on cognitive load or comprehension. Finally, link support enhanced comprehension. In the second experiment, we showed that low prior knowledge learners are able to select a high coherent reading order strategy provided that these learners have high monitoring skills with regard to their comprehension process. We conclude that an important characteristic of hypertext comprehension is the skill to monitor the level of coherence and regulating the reading order is in this respect essential.

Coherence or interest as basis for improving hypertext comprehension

Educational hypertext aims to improve the reader’s comprehension by providing flexible access to information. However, this flexibility imposes additional tasks upon a reader who is used to gaining information in a linear manner. One of these difficulties is in choosing the reading order of the hypertext sections. In the present work, we explore two possible strategies to decide the reading order in hypertext: strategies based on coherence and interest. Results of two laboratory experiments reveal that a semantically coherent reading order improves comprehension for novice readers. Finally, we focus on ways to analyze coherence of the reading order, and how to promote it in educational hypertexts.

Reading & writing

Reading & writing

Reading Strategies and Hypertext Comprehension

The literature on assessing the cognitive processes involved in hypertext comprehension during the past 15 years has yielded contradictory results. In this article we explore a possible factor affecting this situation, mainly the fact that previous works did not control for the potential effects on comprehension of reading strategies in hypertext. In Experiment 1, results showed that reading strategies selectively affect the textbase and the situation model level. The number of different nodes read mainly affected the textbase, whereas the reading order influenced the situation model. In Experiment 2, the analysis of reading strategies replicated the effect of knowledge and coherence found in the literature on linear text comprehension (McNamara & Kintsch, 1996), but it was not replicated in hypertext. Low-knowledge participants learned more by following a high coherent reading order, whereas high-knowledge participants learned more by reading the hypertext in a low-coherence order. We discuss the theoretical and methodological consequences of this approach for the study of hypertext comprehension.

Kohärenz in Hypertexten [Coherence in hypertexts

The paper addresses the question to what extent the concept of text coherence developed for sequentially organized documents can be applied to documents published in hypertext environments. After a brief discussion of different aspects of text coherence (section 2), I will explain the importance of the sequential order of text constituents for coherence-building, as explored by empirical studies on text comprehension (section 3). Section 4 discusses how the typical processes of hypertext usage affect the processes of coherence-building and thus influence the strategies of coherence-design. Section 5 explores how the new challenges of hypertext comprehension may be met by hypertext-specific coherence cues.

Coherence and text and hypertext

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