Cognitive load refers to the amount of working memory resources used in cognitive psychology
. It is an essential aspect of instructional design and pedagogy, as it helps in understanding the complexity of learning tasks and the capacity of learners to process information
. Cognitive load theory, developed by John Sweller, identifies three types of cognitive load
:
- Intrinsic cognitive load : This type of load refers to the complexity of the information being learned, considering the amount of new information and how it interacts
. It is an essential part of the learning task over which we don't have control
- Extraneous cognitive load : This type of load refers to the way information or tasks are presented to a learner, and it can result from poor learning design, interfering with the construction or automation of schemas
. Extraneous load can have a negative effect on learning
- Germane cognitive load : This type of load refers to the work put into creating a permanent store of knowledge
Over the years, the additivity of these types of cognitive load has been investigated and questioned, and it is now believed that they circularly influence each other
. Cognitive load theory suggests that the quality of instructional design will significantly impact the cognitive load experienced by learners, and managing the mental workload of learners efficiently is crucial for effective learning
