The concept of 'cognitive load' refers to the total amount of mental effort being used in the working memory. In educational psychology, cognitive load theory suggests that learning is most effective when instructional designs align with human cognitive architecture. Intrinsic load is associated with the inherent difficulty of the material, while extraneous load is generated by the way information is presented. Germane load, on the other hand, contributes to the construction of schemas. Research indicates that reducing extraneous load, for instance by eliminating redundant visuals or simplifying instructions, can free up cognitive resources for deeper processing. However, over-simplification may sometimes hinder learning by omitting necessary contextual cues. Thus, educators must balance these types of load to optimize instructional efficiency.