The concept of 'cognitive load' refers to the amount of mental effort required to process information. In educational psychology, cognitive load theory (CLT) suggests that learning is most effective when instructional materials are designed to minimize extraneous load, which is the unnecessary mental effort caused by poor presentation. However, recent studies have challenged the universality of CLT, arguing that its predictions may not hold across all learner populations. For instance, novice learners often benefit from worked examples, while experts may experience a 'reversal effect,' where such scaffolding hinders performance. This has led to a more nuanced view, emphasizing the interaction between instructional design and prior knowledge. Consequently, educators are encouraged to adapt their methods based on learners' expertise, rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach.