There are basically two types of links: one is the navigational hyperlink to information within the author’s site, the other provides parenthetical information that the author feels is germane to the topic. Further more these hyperlinks can be broken down into internal hyperlinks; hyperlinks which take the user to documents within the same web site, external hyperlinks which take the user to other URLs or domains, anchors which take the user to some point on the same web page (good for long pages), and e-mail hyperlinks that opens the browser’s e-mail form. As a general rule, students should be able to access any page within the instructional site within three mouse clicks. To accomplish this feat usually requires the use of site maps.

Looking at the top of this page you will notice a very simple navigation scheme. I have provided a link to the content of the entire site (Table of Contents). This Table of Content site allows anyone to go to any page on this site by clicking the link and then scrolling to the desired page. Another link, Index, provides a means by which the user can locate and go to any page within this section (Tip of the Month). There are also two other links; the previous month's Tip (Tables) and the next month's Tips (November). Over all, this scheme allows the user to locate any page within the three mouse click requirement. By the way, there is also a search engine on the home page of this site which will allow users to find pages on this site only, keyed to specific words.

Lynch and Horton (1999), warn that the use of hyperlinks is a design problem and a distraction in the flow of thought. Hyperlinks tells the student to leave your site. When this occurs, there is a contextual shift caused by “dumping” the student into an unfamiliar site without an explanation. Their recommendation is to use hyperlinks as a reinforcement to the main context of one’s narrative without interrupting the flow of thought.

The most prudent strategy in hyperlinking to sites outside of one’s own instructional domain, is to open them in a new browser window (Lynch and Horton, 1999). This allows the flow of new information to the student without the student losing sight of the “main page.” Another advantage for using a new window, is navigation. Linking new sites and replacing the author’s window with them causes the reader to have to use the “go” or “back” button to return to the original site. When this occurs chances are that the student may not return to the original site.

It is usually a good idea to inform your students when the link will open a new browser window (opens new window). Many times the opening of a new window will appear to replace the original site window, when in reality the new window was placed on top of the original window. The first clue that this has happened is to look at the Back button of the browser-if the Back button is dimmed then the new window was placed (not replaced) on top of the original window. To move the new browser window to the side just mouse click, hold, and drag to the side, the lined title bar on the top of the browser. You will see your original browser window underneath the new one.

John Hartnett (1999) recommends the placement of navigation hyperlinks be at the bottom, beneath the content, as well as at the top of the web-page. This means that users will not be required to scroll back to the top of the page when required to move to other sections within the web-site. Other recommendations include:

1. Don’t make the navigation and controls more appealing than the content.
2. Make sure that most of the screen is open to provide your message and instruction.
3. Make sure that all of your pages include Forward, Back, and Help buttons along with other navigational and site index buttons (on this site the Forward and Back buttons have been replaced with the topic of the previous and next page). Providing topic indicators will give users, who come to your site via unconventional means, a sense of "what" comes before and after the current page. Visitors to your site can come to any of your pages (not just the homepage) via a search engine. When that occurs, it is important they have clues about your site and its navigational elements.
4. Minimize scrolling - make sure that you have navigation buttons which hug the top and bottom of your web-page.
5. Things that look alike should work alike - so be consistent in your design.