The concept of 'cognitive load' refers to the total amount of mental effort being used in the working memory. In educational settings, instructional design aims to manage this load to optimize learning. According to cognitive load theory, learning is hindered when the working memory is overloaded with extraneous information that does not contribute to schema construction. However, intrinsic load, which is inherent to the complexity of the material, cannot be reduced without simplifying the content itself. Effective instructional strategies, such as worked examples and the split-attention effect, help to reduce extraneous load, thereby freeing cognitive resources for deeper processing. Recent research suggests that individual differences, such as prior knowledge and spatial ability, significantly influence how learners respond to these strategies, challenging the one-size-fits-all approach to instructional design.
❓ 본문에서 언급된 교수 전략의 주요 목적은 무엇인가?
A. 자료의 내재적 부하를 증가시켜 더 나은 기억 유지를 도모한다.
B. 불필요한 인지 부하를 최소화하고 스키마 구축을 촉진하기 위해
C. 학습 과정에서 모든 인지 부하를 제거하기 위해
D. 학습자 차이와 관계없이 교수를 표준화하기 위해
✅ 正确答案
To minimize extraneous cognitive load and facilitate schema construction
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