Providing navigation aids and online learning helps to support user control : a conceptual model on computer-based learning

More user control in computer-based learning can motivate users and potentially improve learning effectiveness. However, it may also put more cognitive load on users, cause disorientation and even hinder learning. It is therefore advocated in this paper that providing sufficient navigation aids and online learning help can alleviate the cognitive burden a user has to carry, and improve learning effectiveness. First, based on many research literatures, a conceptual model is built, which consists of four elements, namely user control, program control, navigation aids and online learning help. Thereafter, the implementation methods of each element in the model, their respective impacts on user control and implications to learning effectiveness are discussed. Finally, the constructs representing these elements and their internal factors as well as associated measurement schemes are proposed. Results of this study provide invaluable insight in understanding user control and its impact on learning, and also can be used to empirically examine the relationships among the four elements in further studies.