Cognitive load is the mental effort used by working memory. Understanding its limits helps explain why some learning tasks feel difficult and how instruction can support learning.
Working memory is the limited mental system used to hold and process information in the moment. It is important in learning because information often needs to be attended to and processed before it can be stored as long-term knowledge. Working memory has limits in both capacity and duration, so too many demands at once can interfere with learning.
All flashcards
Intrinsic cognitive load
Working-memory effort associated with the inherent complexity of material.
Extraneous cognitive load
Working-memory effort caused by how information or tasks are presented.
Germane cognitive load
Effort devoted to processing essential information and building or strengthening schemas.
Additivity hypothesis
The idea that different types of cognitive load operate as independent amounts that simply add together.
Relative condition efficiency
A comparison of standardized performance and standardized perceived mental effort.
Quiz questions
In problem solving, what is means–ends analysis?Answer: Comparing the current state with the goal and choosing steps to reduce the gap.
Why can studying a worked example support novice learners?Answer: It lets them study solution steps instead of discovering every step independently.
What is a goal-free problem designed to reduce?Answer: The need to search for steps toward one specific target answer.
In controlled settings, what can task-invoked pupil dilation indicate?Answer: Higher cognitive load associated with greater working-memory activity.
What does the expertise-reversal effect describe?Answer: Instructional support helpful to novices can become redundant or less helpful to experts.
Based on the Wikipedia article Cognitive load, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.