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 Sweller's cognitive load theory, learning is hindered when the intrinsic load (complexity of the material) and extraneous load (how the material is presented) exceed the learner's capacity. However, recent studies suggest that a moderate level of germane load, which involves the mental resources dedicated to processing and understanding the material, can enhance deep learning. This implies that not all cognitive load is detrimental; rather, the type and source of load matter significantly. For instance, presenting information in multiple formats might increase extraneous load, but if it aids in creating mental models, it could inadvertently support learning. Therefore, educators must carefully balance these load types to facilitate effective knowledge acquisition.