Internet-based learning traits and instructional design

Internet-based Instruction (IbI) and its design should not only correspond with the Internet properties, but also with the behavioral traits of learners. The paper introduces a project that investigates students´ behavior and its impact on IbI. A cohort of 51 sophomores participated, by undertaking to learn on-line. Findings indicate on-line learning isn´t perfect as we expect, from initial searching information to ultimate achievements, they behave in an inflexible manner. The students´ performances rely on their self-regulated capability and the design of learning material. The authors point out that the new learners should be trained to work effectively and successfully with WWW, teachers and other students on-line before they become on-line learners. Instructional material and resources must be represented and organized in hypertext with a reasonable size and coherence and appropriate maps