1. Writing hypertext: Learning and transfer effects
Martine Braaksma & Gert Rijlaarsdam
University of Amsterdam
the Netherlands
IAIMTE, May 2005

2. Some questions What is hypertext? Hypertext writing with students?
Hypertext writing in school: stress or benefit?

3. Hypertext
Conceptualized by Vannevar Bush (1945). Information is organized as a network in which nodes are text chunks and links are relationships between the nodes.

4. Writing hypertexts Could have positive effects on writing skills
Could have positive effects on content knowledge

5. Questions
Does hypertext writing have positive effects on writing skills?
Same writing processes as in linear writing?
Does hypertext writing contribute to text quality (hypertext and linear text)?

6. Our study Focus on most central, distinctive features
Linear writing = linearization process
Hypertext writing = hierarchicalization process
123 students, 8th and 9th grade
Two linearization and hierarchicalization tasks while thinking aloud
Measurement of text quality of both tasks

7. Tasks Hierarchicalization task Linearization task
= Decomposing text into a hierarchical scheme
Linearization task
= Composing text from a hierarchical scheme

8. Text and hierarchical scheme
The dollar is considerably below the euro, thus the dollar has a favorable exchange rate. Also on the moment, the tickets are very inexpensive. And the climate is also very nice, the temperature is approximately 20 degrees and there is hardly rain. In short, we really should go to the United States of America.
(1) Go to the USA
(1.1) Exchange rate (1.2) Tickets… (1.3) Climate…
(1.1.1) Below euro… (1.3.1) Temperature.. (1.3.2) Rain…

9. Coding of writing processes
Goal-orientation
Planning
Analysis
Formulating
Writing
Evaluation
Re-reading
Meta-analysis
Pausing

10. Protocol hierarchicalization task
The dollar is considerably below the two guilders, thus the dollar has a favourable exchange rate. Also on the moment, the tickets are very inexpensive. And the climate is also very nice, the temperature is approximately 20 degrees and there is hardly rain. In short, we really should go to the United States of America [Reads text]
Uhm, standpoint is [Analyses standpoint]
That we should go to the United States of America [Formulates standpoint]
Uhm, thus a couple of pro arguments [Analyses arguments]
The dollar has a favourable exchange rate [Formulates argument]

11. Continuation protocol
The climate is also very nice [Formulates argument]
The tickets are very inexpensive [Formulates argument]
And then two subordinate arguments [Plans subordinate arguments]
The dollar is considerably below the two guilders [Analyses subordinate argument]
The temperature is approximately 20 degrees and there is hardly rain [Analyses subordinate arguments]
Thus, the standpoint [Plans standpoint]
We should go to the United States of America [Formulates standpoint while writing] […]

12. Results writing processes
Same writing processes, but…
Linearization more Writing & Re-reading
Hierarchicalization more Goal-orientation, Planning, Analysis & Meta-analysis

13. Linear writing and quality of linear text
Formulating: negative effect
Analysis: positive effect
Effect is stable across time

14. Hypertext writing and quality of hypertext
Planning & Analysis: positive effect
Effect is stable across time

15. Hypertext writing and quality of linear text
= Transfer effect
Planning & Analysis: positive effect
Effect is stable across time

16. Conclusions
Same writing processes as in linear writing? Yes, but more Planning & Analysis
Does hypertext writing contribute to text quality (hypertext and linear text)? Yes, more Planning & Analysis in hypertext writing: better hypertexts and linear texts.
Does hypertext writing have positive effects on writing skills? YES!

17. Future Effects from ‘real’ hypertext writing on: Writing skills
Content knowledge
Teaching hypertext writing, based on writing from sources, different topics
In regular lessons, in cooperation with mother tongue teachers
Effects from observational learning on hypertext writing