雅思阅读

📖 Reading Passage

The concept of 'cognitive load' refers to the total amount of mental effort being used in the working memory. In educational settings, instructional design often aims to manage cognitive load to optimize learning. According to cognitive load theory, there are three types: intrinsic, extraneous, and germane. Intrinsic load is inherent to the complexity of the material itself, while extraneous load is generated by the way information is presented, which can be minimized through effective design. Germane load, however, is the effort devoted to processing and understanding the material, which is beneficial for learning. Research suggests that when extraneous load is reduced, learners have more mental resources available for germane processing, thereby enhancing comprehension and retention. Therefore, educators should strive to simplify instructional materials to reduce unnecessary cognitive burden, allowing students to focus on deeper learning.