The concept of 'cognitive load' refers to the total amount of mental effort being used in the working memory. In educational settings, instructional design aims to manage this load to optimize learning. According to cognitive load theory, learning is hampered when the load exceeds the learner's capacity, often due to poorly structured materials or extraneous information. Conversely, reducing unnecessary cognitive load can free up resources for schema acquisition and automation. Recent studies suggest that multimedia presentations, when designed with coherence and signaling principles, can significantly lower extraneous load, thereby enhancing comprehension and retention. However, researchers caution that individual differences, such as prior knowledge and spatial ability, moderate these effects, indicating that a one-size-fits-all approach to instructional design is ineffective.
❓ 文章によると、学習教材における認知負荷を軽減できる重要な要素は何ですか？
A. 無関係な情報の量を増やすこと
B. コヒーレンスとシグナリングの原則を用いたマルチメディアの使用
C. 全ての学習者が同じ指導設計を受けられるようにすること
D. スキーマ獲得のみに焦点を当て、負荷を考慮しないこと。
✅ 正确答案
Using multimedia with coherence and signaling principles
IELTS Reading Tips
Skim the questions first, underline keywords, then locate in the passage
Watch for paraphrasing; correct answers are often reworded
Be wary of absolute statements (all, always, never) — usually wrong
Pay attention to content after transition words (however, but, yet)
Manage time: about 20 minutes per passage; skip difficult questions first