CECS 5110 Week 2

Week 2 - Blog

Using text or hypertext is the simplest method of teaching. It avoids distraction due to its clean and simple format. I think using text or hypertext is useful when learners has prior knowledge of what is being taught. For example to teach how to turn on computer using text or hypertext only.

1. Find the ‘on’ button on the CPU.

2. Press the button to turn on the computer.

3. Turn the ‘on’ button on the monitor if it does not lit up.

4. Enter password if it is required or else it will take you to the desktop screen.

This instruction is simple and understandable who has prior knowledge of the computer parts. But it might be helpful to the 1st time user. User needs to have prior knowledge of which one is CPU or monitor, where to find the button, how does it look like, and the computer needs to be wired properly to be able to use it. If user have prior knowledge and to keep the instruction simple, text or hypertext is useful but not always.

As a designer of instruction, I personally would not prefer text or hypertext to teach. It consumes time to design instructions. If one step is missed in the instruction then user would not be able to understand or will get confused. It is very important that learners understand what they are expected to learn or do.