Novice learners use less mental effort and experience less disorientation using this model as the high degree of structure reduces their cognitive load, resulting in more conceptual understanding of a topic. However, these models do not present a significant gain of factual knowledge when compared to NS models.

Boston University

Provide organizational links and cues to learners through its tree-like structure about a particular concept.

Hierarchical Structure (HS) Models 

Franck Amadieu, André Tricot, Claudette Mariné, Interaction between prior knowledge and concept-map structure on hypertext comprehension, coherence of reading orders and disorientation, Interacting with Computers, Volume 22, Issue 2, March 2010, Pages 88–97, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.intcom.2009.07.001

Effects of prior knowledge and concept-map structure on disorientation, cognitive load, and learning

Using HS Models For Low Prior Knowledge Learners

Expert learners experience less mental effort and gain more factual knowledge when compared to NS models. However, there are no differential effects in disorientation or conceptual knowledge between concept map structures. These learners may have mental models that are consistent with the HS, allowing them to focus their attention on more factual information.

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