Gordon wrote:
> Are there 'linear' and 'non-linear' people? Or is it just being 44 that
> does it? Seriously though, have educational psychologists or
> neurologists investigated possible differences?"
Something of this was touched on in Cornelius's article - the
Bermudez and Palumbo reference - in so many words, they declare browsing
in hypertext to be a more natural process to understand and remember
concepts than reading a complex linear text. They do distinguish between
* visual learners (text, graphics, and illustrations work best)
* auditory learners (require sound as the main access to retain
information)
and
*tactile-kinesthetic learners (require touch and motion to be successful
in learning)
Full article available:
http://www.ncbe.gwu.edu/miscpubs/jeilms/vol14/bermudez.htm
(Sorry Edmund!)
Obviously a hypertext document has the potential for integrating all
three of these elements - but unfortunately the article doesn't actually
pursue individuals' differing comprehension.
I imagine it comes down to the kind of 'learner' you are (there
are four in teaching theory I believe - the Concrete Experience learner,
the Reflective Observer, the Abstract Conceptualizer and the Active
Experimenter). It sounds like you aren't an 'abstract conceptualizer'
Gordon :-)
I suppose the key lies in the subtlety of the links and browsing paths
that are provided. The medium can support elements that attracts all 4
types of 'learner' so my next question is, what would such an online
archaeology article look like? What do others think? (There are lots more
questions I'd like to ask about IA articles in particular on this
score but I'll save these for another email!)
Judith
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Judith Winters, Assistant Editor, Internet Archaeology
http://intarch.ac.uk
King's Manor, University of York, YO1 7EP, UK
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