Learning by Writing Hypertext: A Research Based Design of University Courses in Writing Hypertext

Abstract

In this chapter the design of university courses about writing hypertext is presented. The aim of these courses is to teach students how to write hypertext in a way that supports their knowledge acquisition in the subject matter to be processed. To achieve this objective, reflection on the design of hypertext is used to foster comprehension of the contents. The courses encompass five teaching units to present how to work with the features of hypertext appropriately. The instructional program of the courses was developed by taking theoretical ideas and empirical research about reading and writing traditional texts and hypertexts into account. Each of the units covers one of the aspects, which have to be dealt with during the process of writing hypertext: a) developing a basic understanding for hypertext, b) designing nodes, c) organizing an overall structure, d) considering multiple audience perspectives and e) setting links. The main elements of the instructional program are described in detail. An overview of the theoretical background and some concrete examples from the courses are given for each unit. The discussion shall embed this approach within the field of computer-based teaching.