Cognitive load theory (CLT) argues that instructional design quality is increased when consideration is given to the role and limitations of working memory. The theory is based on the premise that since the brain can only do so many things at once, the individual should be selective about what they ask it to process.
Aspect | Explanation |
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Definition | Cognitive Load Theory (CLT) is an educational and psychological theory that explores how the human cognitive system processes information and manages mental effort during learning. It focuses on the concept of cognitive load, which refers to the mental load or effort required for information processing. CLT aims to optimize learning by managing cognitive load through effective instructional design and presentation. |
Key Concepts | – Cognitive Load: The mental effort or load imposed on the learner’s cognitive system while processing information. – Intrinsic Load: The inherent complexity of the material being learned. – Extraneous Load: The unnecessary or distracting cognitive load introduced by poor instructional design. – Germane Load: The cognitive load associated with meaningful learning and problem-solving. – Working Memory: The limited capacity memory system responsible for processing information. |
Characteristics | – Load Management: CLT emphasizes managing cognitive load to facilitate learning. – Reduction of Extraneous Load: Efforts are made to minimize extraneous cognitive load. – Effective Instruction: Designing instruction that optimizes learning by considering cognitive load. – Multimodal Learning: Using various instructional methods to reduce cognitive load. – Expertise Reversal Effect: The effectiveness of instructional methods varies with learners’ expertise levels. |
Implications | – Optimized Learning: CLT helps design instruction that maximizes learning outcomes. – Efficient Use of Working Memory: It aids in efficient use of limited working memory resources. – Reduced Cognitive Overload: By minimizing extraneous load, learners are less likely to experience cognitive overload. – Retention and Transfer: CLT can improve long-term retention and the ability to apply knowledge to new contexts. – Adaptive Learning: Tailoring instruction to match learners’ cognitive capabilities. |
Advantages | – Enhanced Learning: CLT leads to more effective and efficient learning. – Clear Instructional Design: Helps create clear and well-structured learning materials. – Reduced Cognitive Overload: Minimizing cognitive overload improves comprehension. – Tailored Instruction: Instruction can be adapted to suit learners’ cognitive capacities. – Improved Retention: Optimized learning often leads to better retention of knowledge. |
Drawbacks | – Complexity: Implementing CLT principles may require a deep understanding of cognitive psychology. – Resource Intensive: Developing CLT-compliant materials can be resource-intensive. – Not One-Size-Fits-All: CLT acknowledges that optimal instructional design may vary between individuals and contexts. – Lack of Awareness: Instructors and designers may not be fully aware of CLT principles. – Overemphasis on Efficiency: Some argue that CLT may focus too heavily on efficiency at the expense of creativity or critical thinking. |
Applications | – Education: CLT is commonly applied in educational settings to design effective learning materials. – Training: Used in corporate training to enhance employee learning and skill acquisition. – E-Learning: Applied in the development of online courses and digital learning platforms. – Software Design: Designing user interfaces and software with reduced cognitive load. – Healthcare Education: Designing medical training programs for healthcare professionals. |
Use Cases | – Language Learning: Designing language courses with optimal load management. – Mathematics Education: Creating math lessons that minimize cognitive load. – Technical Training: Developing training programs for complex technical skills. – User Interface Design: Creating user-friendly interfaces for software applications. – Medical Simulation: Developing medical simulations for training healthcare professionals. |
Future Trends | – Personalized Learning: Using data and technology to tailor instruction to individual learners’ cognitive capacities. – AI in Education: Integrating artificial intelligence to adapt instruction based on cognitive load assessments. – Virtual Reality: Exploring the use of VR for immersive, low-load learning experiences. – Neuroeducation: Advancements in neuroscience may provide new insights into cognitive load management. – Cross-Disciplinary Research: Collaboration between cognitive psychologists, educators, and technologists to refine CLT applications. |
Understanding cognitive load theory
Cognitive load theory was developed in the late 1980s by psychologist John Sweller, who argued that instructional design could be used to reduce cognitive load in students.
The theory is based on two commonly accepted ideas:
- There is a limit to how much new information the brain can process at any given time. This is called working memory, which can only store a few pieces of information for a very short duration.
- There are no limits to how much stored information the brain can process at any given time. Stored information is accessed from long-term memory where it may be held semi-permanently.
If the working memory of a student is overloaded, there is a risk they will not understand the content being taught to them. With regular practice, however, learning can be facilitated as information is recalled from long-term memory with little conscious effort. Since this knowledge is accessed subconsciously, the working memory is freed up to learn something else.
Ultimately, the goal of cognitive load theory is to develop models of instruction that support the way the human brain learns.
The three types of cognitive load
The theory defines three types of cognitive load, which refers to the number of resources used in working memory.
Following is a look at each type:
- Intrinsic load – or the complexity of the material or skill, measured by the number of the elements that need to be learned. When there are a large number of interacting elements, a novice learner experiences a high intrinsic load. As a result, the intrinsic load is dependent on the complexity of the learning material and the learner’s prior level of knowledge or understanding.
- Germane load – this refers to the load placed on working memory by the process of learning. In other words, the transferring of information to long-term memory where it becomes knowledge. This process is facilitated by schemas, or frameworks organizing elements of information according to how they should be used. For example, a mathematics student will use the BODMAS mnemonic to help them remember the correct order for completing calculations. Crucially, schemas reduce working memory load because they are single elements of information representing complex or multi-faceted knowledge.
- Extraneous load – caused by cognitive activities that do not contribute to learning. In most cases, the information presented is poorly designed and may be confusing, unnecessary, or excessive. The teacher may also instruct in a way that is similarly complex.
Five principles for reducing cognitive load
In 2002, educational psychologist Richard E. Mayer built on Sweller’s research to create five principles for reducing cognitive load:
- The Coherence Principle – reduce the amount of information to only what is critical and relevant to learning. Simplicity and clarity should be favored over style and applies to teaching materials and the disseminating of instructions.
- The Signalling Principle – important written information should be highlighted in whatever way the teacher deems appropriate. Teachers should alter their pacing and intonation when teaching verbally and should avoid speaking in a monotone voice.
- The Redundancy Principle – teachers should never become so lazy that they instruct by reading information from a screen.
- Spatial Contiguity – to reduce cognitive load, it is also important to show related topics or items close to each other. If a diagram is included in the course content, the annotations should be included on the same page.
- Temporal Contiguity – similar to the fourth principle, but with time instead of proximity. Related concepts or items must be mentioned in quick succession. Hours or days should not elapse before a link is made between two related concepts. Spatial and temporal learning can be facilitated by using context, which links the information to a relatable student situation and reduces germane cognitive load.
Examples And Case Studies
- Presentation Slides: When creating presentation slides, following the coherence and signaling principles can reduce cognitive load. Limit the amount of text on each slide to critical and relevant information, use clear and concise language, and highlight key points or important information using different colors or formatting.
- Classroom Teaching: In a classroom setting, teachers can apply the redundancy principle by avoiding repeating the same information using different words. Instead, they should provide concise explanations and examples to avoid overloading students’ working memory with redundant information.
- Online Learning: In online learning environments, teachers and course designers can use spatial contiguity to present related topics or items close to each other on the screen. For example, when explaining a concept, the text, diagrams, and relevant visuals should be displayed together, reducing the need for students to mentally integrate disparate information.
- Problem-Solving Exercises: In math or science classes, teachers can apply the temporal contiguity principle by presenting related problem-solving steps in quick succession. This approach helps students link concepts in real-time and reduces cognitive load during the problem-solving process.
- Multimedia Learning: When using multimedia, such as videos or animations, in educational materials, applying the coherence and signaling principles is crucial. Teachers should present information in a clear and structured manner, avoid unnecessary distractions or decorative elements, and use cues to highlight important information.
- Foreign Language Learning: In language learning, teachers can reduce cognitive load by introducing new vocabulary in context and using real-life examples. By linking new words or phrases to familiar situations or experiences, learners can form relevant associations, making it easier to remember and apply the language.
- Software User Interfaces: When designing software user interfaces, developers should follow the coherence and spatial contiguity principles. Information and controls related to specific tasks should be logically grouped together, and unnecessary or distracting elements should be minimized to avoid overwhelming users’ working memory.
Key takeaways:
- Cognitive load theory is a theory of instructional design based on the role and limitations of working memory on learning.
- Cognitive load theory describes three forms of cognitive load which consumes limited resources in working memory. These include intrinsic load, germane load, and extraneous load.
- Five principles for reducing cognitive load were later added to the theory in 2002 by Richard E. Mayer. Among other things, teachers must favor a simple and clear instructional style and avoid reading off a screen.
Key Highlights
- Definition of Cognitive Load Theory (CLT): Cognitive Load Theory is a framework in instructional design that emphasizes considering the role and limitations of working memory when designing learning materials. The theory suggests that learning is more effective when the cognitive load imposed on working memory is managed effectively.
- Origin and Development: Cognitive Load Theory was formulated by psychologist John Sweller in the late 1980s. It aims to optimize the learning process by understanding how the brain processes information and how to reduce cognitive overload.
- Working Memory Limitations: Working memory has limited capacity and can only hold a small amount of new information for a short period. However, there is no limit to how much stored information can be processed.
- Intrinsic Load: Intrinsic load refers to the inherent complexity of the material or skill being learned. It is influenced by the number of interacting elements in the learning content and the learner’s prior knowledge.
- Germane Load: Germane load pertains to the cognitive effort required to transfer information from working memory to long-term memory. Schemas, which are mental frameworks organizing information, play a crucial role in reducing this load by simplifying complex information.
- Extraneous Load: Extraneous load is the cognitive load imposed by irrelevant or poorly designed information. It occurs when instructional materials are confusing, excessive, or unnecessary, hindering effective learning.
- Five Principles for Reducing Cognitive Load (Richard E. Mayer, 2002):
- Coherence Principle: Present only essential information to avoid overwhelming learners. Prioritize simplicity and clarity over style.
- Signalling Principle: Use cues and highlighting to emphasize important information. Vary pacing and intonation in verbal instruction to enhance engagement.
- Redundancy Principle: Avoid redundant information that can overload working memory.
- Spatial Contiguity: Present related content close to each other, such as text and diagrams, to reduce cognitive load.
- Temporal Contiguity: Introduce related concepts in quick succession to facilitate memory integration.
- Applications and Examples:
- Presentation Slides: Applying coherence and signaling principles to presentation slides reduces cognitive load by highlighting key information.
- Classroom Teaching: Teachers should provide concise explanations and avoid redundant information to prevent cognitive overload.
- Online Learning: Designers can apply spatial contiguity to organize related content on online platforms.
- Problem-Solving Exercises: Present related problem-solving steps in quick succession to enhance memory integration.
- Multimedia Learning: Clear and structured multimedia presentations follow the coherence and signaling principles.
- Foreign Language Learning: Introducing vocabulary in context reduces cognitive load by creating relevant associations.
- Software User Interfaces: Designing interfaces with coherence and spatial contiguity minimizes cognitive load for users.
- Key Takeaways:
- Cognitive Load Theory focuses on optimizing learning by managing cognitive load in instructional design.
- It addresses intrinsic, germane, and extraneous cognitive load.
- Five principles for reducing cognitive load were introduced by Richard E. Mayer to guide effective instructional design.
- Applying these principles enhances learning experiences across various contexts.
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