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 materials are designed to minimize unnecessary cognitive load. This is particularly relevant in multimedia learning, where learners must process both visual and auditory information simultaneously. According to Mayer's principles, extraneous material that does not contribute to the learning goal should be excluded, as it can overload the learner's limited working memory capacity. Conversely, intrinsic load, which relates to the complexity of the material itself, is unavoidable but can be managed by breaking content into smaller segments. Research indicates that when extraneous load is reduced, learners show improved comprehension and retention. However, the optimal level of cognitive load may vary depending on the learner's prior knowledge and the task's nature.
❓ Согласно тексту, какова основная цель снижения посторонней когнитивной нагрузки в мультимедийном обучении?
A. Для увеличения объёма информации, представляемой обучающимся
B. Чтобы предотвратить перегрузку ограниченной ёмкости рабочей памяти
C. Чтобы сделать учебный материал более сложным и требующим усилий.
D. Чтобы устранить необходимость предварительных знаний у обучающихся
✅ 正确答案
To prevent overloading the limited capacity of working memory
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