雅思阅读

📖 Reading Passage

The concept of 'cognitive load' refers to the total amount of mental effort being used in the working memory. In educational contexts, instructional designers often seek to manage cognitive load to optimize learning. According to 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 capacity. However, germane load, which involves the mental resources devoted to processing and understanding the material, is considered beneficial. Research suggests that reducing extraneous load, for instance by using clear diagrams instead of redundant text, allows more working memory capacity for germane processing. Yet, some scholars argue that overly simplified presentations may reduce deep learning, as learners need to grapple with some complexity to build robust mental models. Thus, the optimal level of cognitive load is not minimal but rather balanced according to learner expertise.