The concept of 'cognitive load' refers to the total amount of mental effort being used in the working memory. In educational psychology, it is often divided into three types: intrinsic, extraneous, and germane. Intrinsic load is inherent to the complexity of the material itself, while extraneous load is generated by the way information is presented to the learner. Germane load, on the other hand, is the effort devoted to processing and understanding the material, which can lead to schema construction. Research suggests that effective instructional design should aim to reduce extraneous load, thereby freeing cognitive resources for germane processing. However, overly simplifying material may inadvertently decrease germane load, as learners may not engage deeply enough to build robust mental models. Thus, a balance between instructional support and learner challenge is crucial for optimal learning outcomes.
❓ Según el pasaje, ¿cuál es el objetivo principal de reducir la carga extraña en el diseño instruccional?
A. Para aumentar la complejidad intrínseca del material de aprendizaje.
B. Para permitir más capacidad mental para el procesamiento significativo y la construcción de esquemas.
C. Para eliminar todos los tipos de carga cognitiva durante el aprendizaje.
D. Para hacer el material más fácil para que los estudiantes no necesiten pensar profundamente.
✅ 正确答案
To allow more mental capacity for meaningful processing and schema building
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