Abstract

This study assessed the effectiveness of hypermedia software in the learning and retention, association, and structuring of biological knowledge by using fifth grade students (ages 9 to I I years) from three urban schools in Southern Chile. Four groups of 24 subjects each were exposed to either hypermedia software presentation on basic functions of the human body (Group 1), the same information in linear, electronic book mode (Group 2), the same information on a printed brochure (Group 3), or no experimental treatment but exposure (as were students in the other three groups) to regular lectures and materials (control group or Group 4). Six students from each school were randomly assigned to the treatment and control groups; thus 24 students from each school (N=72) participated. Students in all groups increased their retention of information. They also improved their performance on remote concept associations and on construction of conceptual maps. However, the groups who used the software presentation obtained significantly better scores on remote association of concepts. There were correlations for the users' hypermedia navigational patterns with the richness of the students' conceptual maps, and the students' remote association. In general, results support the use of similar software in education wherein the goals are remote associations and rich conceptual maps, and, more specifically, they indicate that the students' navigational pattern through information could serve them better to structure and relate conceptual information.