Cognitive Media Types as Indices forHypermedia Learning

In this paper, we propose a theoretical framework for designing indices for educational hypermedia systems. In this theory, we argue that the design of these systems and their and indices are best thought of in terms of \cognitive media types." Speciically, we argue that systems should not be characterized primarily in terms of the kinds of physical media types that can be accessed. Instead, the important aspect is the content that can be represented within a physical media, rather than the physical media itself. Cognitive media are based on a cognitive theory of the inferential and learning processes of human users, and encapsulate diierent methods or strategies for problem solving and learning. These strategies rely on speciic media characteristics that facilitate speciic problem solving actions, which in turn are enabled by speciic kinds of physical media.