The concept of 'cognitive load' refers to the amount of mental effort being used in the working memory. According to cognitive load theory, instructional design should minimize extraneous cognitive load to facilitate learning. Extraneous load is generated by the way information is presented to learners, rather than by the inherent complexity of the material itself. For instance, a poorly designed diagram that requires the learner to search for corresponding labels can increase extraneous load, thereby impeding the construction of schemas. In contrast, intrinsic load is related to the difficulty of the subject matter itself and cannot be altered by instructional manipulations. Effective teaching strategies, therefore, aim to manage intrinsic load while reducing extraneous load, allowing learners to devote more cognitive resources to the essential aspects of the task.
❓ Según el pasaje, ¿cuál es el objetivo principal del diseño instruccional en relación con la carga cognitiva?
A. Eliminar todas las formas de carga cognitiva para hacer que el aprendizaje sea sin esfuerzo.
B. Para aumentar la carga intrínseca y desafiar más profundamente a los aprendices.
C. Para reducir la carga extrínseca mientras se gestiona eficazmente la carga intrínseca.
D. Para crear diagramas complejos que requieran más esfuerzo mental.
✅ 正确答案
To reduce extraneous load while managing intrinsic load effectively.
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