Cognitive Load Theory

INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN LEARNING THEORY


Definition

Cognitive Load Theory (CLT) is an information processing theory used to explain the limits of working memory based on current knowledge of human cognitive architecture. Cognitive architecture refers to the concept of our minds having structures such as working memory, long term memory, and schemas.

Basic Model of Information Processing5

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Important Concepts of CLT

"If nothing has been altered in long-term memory nothing has been learned."4

1. Magic Number 7: Working Memory can only handle 7 disconnected items at once.
2. Overload occurs when Working Memory has to process too much too fast.
3. Long Term Memory is virtually unlimited and assists Working Memory.
4. Schemas are memory structures written in Long Term Memory by Working Memory.
5. Working Memory is overloaded when its ability to build a schema is compromised.
6. If Working Memory has capacity left over, it can access information from long term memory in powerful ways.
7. Automation (doing something without conscious thought) results from well developed Schemas due to Working Memory's interaction with Long Term Memory. Well developed schemas come with repeated effort and effective practice.

WARNING! the "zero sum game"

3 Types of Cognitive Load

Extraneous
Extraneous load is caused by inappropriate instructional designs that force working memory to focus away from building schemas into long term memory.
Intrinsic
Intrinsic load is caused by the irreducible complexity of elements interacting in working memory.
Germane
Germane load is caused by effortful learning resulting in Schema construction and the process of automation.

It's like a zero sum game because at times there is limited space in working memory for all three to operate simultaneously. Adding too much of one means subtracting from another. Unfortunately, instructional design can have a negative effect on learning when it ignores the limited capacity of working memory. (The flashlight analogy is another way to describe the capacity problem. Take a look at Ruth Colvin Clark's book: Building expertise: Cognitive methods for training and performance improvement, (c2008), p. 113.)

How Information can be Beautiful1:

Applications of CLT to Instructional Design

1. Knowledge Compression (chunking)

  • Working memory can operate more efficiently when information is presented to the learner in meaningful chunks.
  • Instructional designers can sort of imitate schema development and even substitute for missing schemas by developing instructional materials that use this chunking idea.
  • For processing inside the brain, advanced organizers can be used to trigger long term memory.
  • For receiving data from outside the brain, graphic organizers, job aids and mneumonic devices can be used to chunk information into smaller groupings.

2. Repetition Repetition Repetition

  • For complex tasks, procedures need to be isolated and rehearsed multiple times for working memory to process and automation to develop.
  • If the instructional designer cannot address the novice's POV, then more repetition will inevitably be required for instruction to be effective.
  • For complex concepts, the more background knowledge the better. Comprehension benefits more from knowledge than just a focus on a thinking or comprehension skill.5

3. Unclogging Cognitive Traffic Jams with "Information Landscapes"1

  • Besides the chunking technique, the brain finds relief in instructional materials that follow clear and elegant design principles.3
  • Fight the Split Attention Effect: Design presentations so slides are more visual instead of text heavy. That way the audience can process information more naturally instead of having to simultaneously read lots of screen text in addition to listening to the presenter's narration. Splitting attention too much puts stress on cognitive load. Split attention also occurs because the student is forced to scan for textual information that is separated from the illustration or graphic.
  • Provide meaningful information contexts or landscapes. Find out how information can be beautiful at: TED Talks: David McCandless: The beauty of data visualization. See if you can identify how his presentation design addresses the needs of the human mind. You might even see some examples that go against CLT principles as well.

REFERENCES

1. McCandless, D. (2010, July) The beauty of data visualization [Video file], Retrieved from http://www.ted.com/talks/david_mccandless_the_beauty_of_data_visualization.html

2. Miller, G. A. (1956). The magical number seven, plus or minus two: Some limits on our capacity for processing information. Psychological Review. 63, 81-97.

3. Reynolds, G. (2008). Presentation zen: Simple ideas on presentation design and delivery. Berkeley: New Riders.

4. Sweller, J. (2005) Implications of cognitive load theory for multimedia learning. In R.E. Mayer (Ed.), The Cambridge handbook of multimedia learning (pp. 19-30). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

5. Willingham, D.T. (2009, Spring). Why don't students like school? AFT, 33(1). Retrieved from: http://www.aft.org/pdfs/americaneducator/spring2009/WILLINGHAM(2).pdf


Created by: Mike S