In words, the nodes display identity information (i.e. titles)
when rolled over and more detailed information when clicked. Specifically,
a click on a module or lesson node links to introductory material for that
module or lesson, while a click on a topic node leads directly to the content
for that topic. That content itself is traversed by a "string of beads" type
navigation bar (click the arrows to page up or down, or click an individual
bead to go directly to that page). Buttons allow direct access to the previous
or next topic, and a "fir branch" button returns readers to the
visual interface.
Both the nodes and the cones of this interface
are interactive and respond to rollovers and clicks. These behaviours (described
in more detail below) are implemented
for Lesson 1.1 only in
this Flash demo. Roll over and click nodes
1,
1.1 and
those on the Lesson 1.1 branch to see the general information
and pseudo-content these nodes link to. The ability to reset the nodes or needles
to "unread" is
also a part of this design, but is not implemented.
Note that every time a student leaves a topic,
he must decide whether or not to mark that topic completed or uncompleted.
The result of this decision is then visually displayed on the fir branch;
see the Feedback section for details. This tactic forces the student to think
meta-cognitively: he must decide whether or not he understands the topic
before proceeding.
The cones also display basic information on rollover
(assessment title, possibly grades for completed assessments). When clicked,
each cone links directly to the assessment or to a solution or analysis of
the student's work if that assessment has already been completed. The link
for a completed assessment also offers the student the opportunity to redo
that assessment or reset it (see the details in the Feedback section). The
described cone behaviour is implemented in the above widget for
Cone 1.1 only, and only in very limited form.
