1. Writing hypertext: Learning and transfer effects Martine Braaksma & Gert Rijlaarsdam University of Amsterdam the Netherlands IAIMTE, 11-13 May 2005

2. Some questions What is hypertext?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, 8 th and 9 th grade Two linearization and hierarchicalization tasks while thinking aloud Measurement of text quality of both tasks

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