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
- 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
|
- Every topic should be logically connected to course following, previous and parent
topics
|