Hypermedia Research : Present and Future Wei - Fan Chen and Francis Dwyer

ABSTIRACT Hypermedia learning systems have been gaining much attention over the past two decades. Although several theorists have indicated that hypermedia structures can be structured to reflect the human minds cognitive structure, it has yet to be determined whether hypertext systems can simulate different types of learning environments so as to facilitate the achievement of different typ s of learning objectives. The purpose of this study was to review literature related to how students learning within hypermedia leaming environments and to identify current perccived problems related to hypermedia research which is limiting its use and generalizability. Identified problems include: (1) irrelevant assessment of outcome variables, (2) weal, methodological design in conducting experimental research, (3) lack of theoretical foundations in designing hypertext systems (4) lack of specification of precise learning outcomes and (5) lack of of learner's prior knowledge in the content area. Furthermore, suggestions are made to reform the future hypermedia research agenda. The suggestions include: (1) future research should focus on assessing relevant student's leaming outcomes (knowledge acquisition, knowledge integration, knowledge generation) (2) researchers should develop reliable and valid instruments and methodology of experimental design ( reporting reliability of criterion measures), (3) hypermedia design should reflect hypotheses derived from established leaming and instructional design theory, and (4) future studies should consider leamers' prior knowledge and varied leaming styles. The ultimate goal of this article was to examine the research base in hypermedia on learning in order to identify existing limitation inherent in existing research and to provide a research agenda the results of which would assist instructional designers in producing appropriate instructional materials to facilitate student achievement of the varied levels of performance outcomes.