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Cognitive Load Theory Terms

Terms
Overview

1. Constructivism

2. Hypertext

3. Case-Based Learning

Hypertext: “Cognitive Flexibility Hypertexts (CFH) is compared to ‘intellectual erector sets.”” It offers a format to help create or build. Open-ended exploration is provided to help manipulate information with three-dimensional effect for learners to build knowledge. Hypertext is a computer-supported approach that supports instruction aimed at cognitive flexibility. Hypertext includes information provided as hypermedia and/or hyperdocuments.

 


Basic Building Blocks of Hypertext

The basic building blocks of hypertext documents are nodes and links.

a. Nodes are pieces of information as small as a picture or as large as an article.
b. Links allow a user to navigate between nodes. Each user can pick their own method to move between the nodes. There are two basic types of links referential and organizational:

i. Referential links from node to node
ii. Organizational links communicate to show the relationship between the nodes

(Jonassen, 1991, p. 84)

Web Interface: The web interface for implementing cognitive flexibility hypertext is one shows topic paths rather than a hierarchical structure. The question is how to incorporate these conceptual ideas into a user-friendly interface that best accommodates an instructional designer. The themes are the child thoughts of the parent thoughts. The primary cases are the complete text. Activating a theme calls forth mini-cases as child thoughts. By reading mini-cases learners realize the many interrelationship and connections to the other themes in the complex ways. Mini-case perspectives provide the means to explain/illustrate abstract concepts within the context of the specific mini-case being considered.

Graddy (2001)

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University of South Alabama, College of Education, Under the Supervision of Dr. John V. Dempsey
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Last Update 3/08/2007