The concept of 'cognitive load' refers to the total amount of mental effort being used in the working memory. In educational settings, instructional designers often seek to manage cognitive load to optimize learning outcomes. 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 available working memory capacity. However, recent studies suggest that a certain level of germane load, which involves the mental resources dedicated to processing and understanding the underlying structure of the content, is essential for deep learning. Thus, effective instruction should minimize extraneous load while preserving opportunities for germane cognitive processing, rather than simply reducing all types of load.
❓ 认知负荷理论对教学设计的主要启示是什么，如文中所描述？
A. 应尽量减少所有类型的认知负荷，以避免使学习者不堪重负。
B. 教学应仅专注于通过简化内容来降低内在认知负荷。
C. 设计师应减少无关认知负荷，同时鼓励相关认知负荷以促进深入理解。
D. 当工作记忆被复杂材料完全占据时，学习效果最佳。
✅ 正确答案
Designers should reduce extraneous load but encourage germane load for deep understanding.