Reading hypertext skillfully is like expertly navigating hyperlinks

As Dr. Mary McNabb points out in her podcast, reading hyperlinks is a challenging cognitive activity and probably harder than reading linear text. To follow a hypertext trail requires creating a personal narrative that connects disparate pieces. It's easy to get off track, although it usually leads someplace interesting and unpredictable.

Following hyperlinks involves similar unpredictability. All you get to see is a word or two--beyond that lies the unknown.

Being able to predict accurately what lies beyond a hyperlink is a large part of the skill involved in utilizing hypertext effectively. Think about hypertext as one- or two-word hyperlinks beyond which lies a more detailed explanation. If you need that explanation to make sense of what you're reading, it's probably a good idea to click the link and then come back. "Probably" always involves a decision: is this link likely to help me? If you feel the answer is "yes," act on your hunch and follow the link. But not too far!

A good rule of thumb is not to go 2 links beyond where you were reading, or if you are browsing, don't go 2 links beyond familiar territory. In other words, if you start to feel lost, go back at the first opportunity. Some adventurous types will ignore this advice and click through jungle of hyperlinks. However, in terms of search efficiency, this impulse tends to waste time.

The unpredictability of hyperlinks is what makes browsing the least effective and least efficient search method. Interestingly, browsing is the preferred means of searching for digital natives.

Browsing can be done skillfully and the same skills may make reading hypertext more profitable. Keeping keywords in mind while browsing keeps the search centered and prevents your reading from spinning out of control. If this sounds like the first step in the Digital Information Fluency Model, you're right: Do I Know What I Am Looking For? Keywords are always the.... well, key!

To practice browsing with hyperlinks, try one of our Subject Directory Challenges. These are notoriously hard for some people, including librarians. The directions are simple:

• Figure out what you are looking for: develop a list of keywords.
• From the first choices presented, pick (click on) the most likely word that is related to your keywords. This is hardest at first and takes a well-developed vocabulary. Think: what word is most generally like my keywords? (Note: This step isn't involved in following hypertext, where only one choice is provided per word.)
• If any of the new choices are better than the choice you just made, click on it--if not, go back and try another link.
• No fair using a search engine along the way (just refrain from typing and you'll be OK).

Sound easy? Then Subject Directory Challenges just might be your thing. Then again, you might want to stick with a search engine. Remember--this skill can help you when it comes to making wise decisions about hypertext.

Subject Directory Challenges

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