Enhancing learning from hypertext by inducing a goal orientation: Comparing different approaches

As learning from hypertext requires a highdegree of self-monitoring, having a clearlearning goal in mind should enhance learning.Our concern in this study was to investigatethree different kinds of approaches forinducing learning goals: A Tutorial providedexternal and specific learning objectives, aGoal-Based Scenario (GBS) for inducing externaland general learning goals, and a Strategytraining leading to internal goal generation. Ahypertext resource was combined with each ofthese three learning arrangements. The threeconditions were compared regarding learningoutcomes and motivational effects. A total of 60adults participated in our study.Results suggest that GBS students are moremotivated, acquire a better overview and arebetter able to apply their knowledge in anargumentation task. Students in the Tutorialperformed better in fact-relatedknowledge-tests as a result of their directaccomplishment of learning objectives, butfailed to create a coherent overview on thetopic and were less motivated. Participantsthat received a strategy training onself-questioning failed to apply thismeta-cognitive strategy in order to formulatetheir own learning goals when working with thehypertext.