Cognitive Load

Cognitive Load

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Term2.png COGNITIVE LOAD
Load on working memory during the learning process. The working memory corresponds to the part of the brain that provides temporary storage of new information, processes it and finally integrates it in the long-term memory. The working memory has a limited capacity and, hence, selects only little information to be registered in the long-term memory. Moreover, it is impossible to control what pieces of information will be selected.


While designing a learning process it is highly recommended to take into account the cognitive load, the limited capacity of the working memory and the impossibility to control its selection process. It is crucial to provide learners only with essential information. If they are given too much information they might be overwhelmed and may not even retain the most important details. A rule of thumb to follow is to identify the difference between what is necessary to know in order to meet the learning objectives, and what is nice to know. Information that is nice to know could refer to additional material related to the topic which is not essential to meet the learning objectives. What is necessary to know should be included in the compulsory readings, in order to stress the importance for learners to remember it. What is nice to know should be included in the optional readings, as it is not mandatory for learners to retain that information. [1]


Toolkit.png Considering the cognitive load while designing a course

General Guidelines

  1. Keep in mind that:
    • The working memory is limited
    • It is impossible to control which information will be registered in the long term memory
  2. Select carefully the information you give learners:
    • Avoid providing learners with too much information, otherwise they might be overwhelmed and not even retain the essential one
  3. Identify:
    • What is necessary to know (information needed in order to meet the learning objectives)
    • What is nice to know (additional information related to the topic but not indispensable in order to meet the learning objectives)
  4. Include what is necessary to know in the compulsory readings
  5. Include what is nice to know in the optional readings
  6. For each lesson of your course make sure that:
    • The amount of slides is reasonable
    • The text included in each slide is not too long [2]


Job Aid

Pdf.png Considering the cognitive load while designing a course


References

  1. ↑ Wikipedia (1 March 2010), edutechwiki (2 March 2010), edtechdev.wordpress.com (2 March 2010), www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov (18 March 2010), Cliff Atkinson, “The science of Making Your PowerPoint Memorable: Q&A with Nelson Cowan”, www.beyondbulletpoints.com (June 2004), George A. Miller, The Magical Number Seven, Plus or Minus Two: Some Limits on Our Capacity for Processing Information”, Psychological Review 63, 81-97 (1956)
  2. ↑ Cliff Atkinson, “The science of Making Your PowerPoint Memorable: Q&A with Nelson Cowan”, www.beyondbulletpoints.com (June 2004), George A. Miller, The Magical Number Seven, Plus or Minus Two: Some Limits on Our Capacity for Processing Information”, Psychological Review 63, 81-97 (1956)
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