Effect of Varied Types of Hypermedia Display Interfaces in Facilitating Achievement of Different Learning Objectives

Abstract

This study was designed to compare three different types of hypermedia display interfaces in hypermedia design: They are 1) browser-scroll; 2) frame-based and 3) popup-window interfaces. In addition, this study also investigated the potential interaction between the interface and students' prior knowledge (high versus low). 125 undergraduate students were recruited to participate in the study. A multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was performed to analyze collected data. The main effects and the potential interaction of the two independent variables were examined. Significant differences were found among varied types of hypermedia display interfaces and students' prior knowledge. Discussion on current research findings and suggestions to future research were reported.