B4 – Information Architecture for linear courses

Issue Definition

The Information Architecture influences users’ navigation and their consequent learning. A linear navigation is often associated to hierarchically structured courses. Linearity can be developed in two different ways:

  • levels linearity (so that a level in the structure is logically connected only to the previous one and to the following one) 
  • pages linearity (so that a page is logically connected only to the previous one and to the following one) 

Guideline Text

  1. Required linearity purposes should be reflected into the Course Plan and content distribution
            1.a Every page should have direct, visible and easily accessible links to course following, previous and parent topics
            1.b Forward ‘jumps’ to next pages (and/or levels) beyond the closest one must be avoided
            1.c Back ‘jumps’ to previous pages (and/or levels) should be allowed
 
  1. Every topic should be logically connected to course following, previous and parent topics