MetaLinks: Authoring and Affordances for Conceptual and Narrative Flow in Adaptive Hyperbooks
In IJAIED
13 (2): "Part II of the Special Issue on Adaptive and Intelligent Web-Based Systems "
Publication information
Abstract
MetaLinks, an authoring tool and web server for adaptive
hyperbooks, is described. MetaLinks hyperbooks provide textbook-like
content in a flexible manner that supports opportunistic processes of active
reading and learning. Through adaptive methods a single on-line artifact
can address the diverse needs of a variety of user goals and backgrounds.
The system is designed to support inquiry, exploratory, or curiosity-driven
learning in richly interconnected material and to ameliorate a number of
usability issues that arise in such open ended learning environments. Chief
among the usability issues addressed are the potential for discontinuous
conceptual and narrative flow as users navigate flexibly and
idiosyncratically through hyperbook content. Our goals are addressed
through a number of interface features and adaptive methods including
narrative smoothing, custom depth control, and thematic links. In this
paper we describe the MetaLinks system, discuss a number of hyperbook
design issues, and give the results of two formative evaluations of a
MetaLinks Hyperbook.
