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 extraneous cognitive load, allowing learners to focus on essential information. However, recent studies have challenged the universality of this theory, arguing that the optimal level of cognitive load may vary depending on individual differences such as prior knowledge and learning style. For instance, novice learners often benefit from simplified materials, while experts may require more complex tasks to engage deeper processing. Thus, a one-size-fits-all approach to instructional design may be insufficient, and educators should consider adaptive strategies that cater to diverse learner profiles.
❓ 文章によると、認知負荷理論に対する主な批判は何ですか？
A. それは学習における作業記憶の役割を過度に強調している。
B. それは学習者個人の違いを考慮に入れていない。
C. 全ての学習者に簡略化された教材を推奨しています。
D. それは、専門家における事前知識の重要性を無視している。
✅ 正确答案
It fails to account for individual differences in learners.
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