visible or invisible links?
This paper reports on experimental research that compares two interfaces in software designed for foreign language reading: one with visible and one with invisible links. The links lead to dictionary definitions and translations. The study focussed on differences in consulting behaviour, learning outcomes (vocabulary and comprehension) and on a possible interaction effect of condition and task. The results indicate that the two interfaces mainly differ in the users' willingness to consult the additional information. Differences in learning outcomes and a combined effect of condition and task could not be established.
signalling-mode of glosses language learning interface design online reading