Children’s Hypertext Navigation Strategies

Abstract

Research investigating the nature of reader’s navigational choices indicates at least three recurring patterns among hypertext users. Each of these patterns is marked by the type and amount of resources visited and the level of text processing that occurs. Conclusions from prior research have highlighted that navigation seems to be a strategy some readers employ better and more efficiently than others. However, the majority of these studies have investigated experienced adult readers. Because navigational choices are made strategically, it stands to reason that children, who have less strategic knowledge with respect to reading, may navigate differently than their adult counterparts. This study was undertaken to identify if similar or different navigational profiles emerge for younger readers of hypertext documents. In addition, knowledge and interest variables were examined to illuminate why differences may or may not occur. Results indicate that both adult and adolescent readers use the same navigational profiles. However, the order of prominence of the profiles differed between the two groups. Differences appear to be linked to the level of exposure to a given domain rather than experience navigating computer environments.

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