Due to the nonlinear nature of hypertexts, readers will find the web structure to be overwhelming. In addition, understanding hypertexts may require prior knowledge. The nonlinearity of hypertexts make it difficult for students to integrate the information into their long-term memory. Skilled readers also experienced difficulty navigating through hypertexts due to there being too many links, and strong domain knowledge is needed to understand hypertexts.


Impact of the non-linearity of hypertexts on college students

Types of Non-linear Knowledge Representation

A type of knowledge representation where its natural flow of reading is in more than one direction.

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Amadieu, F., Tricot, A., & Mariné, C. (2010). Interaction between prior knowledge and concept-map structure on hypertext comprehension, coherence of reading orders and disorientation. Interacting with computers, 22(2), 88-97. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.intcom.2009.07.001

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