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 settings, instructional designers often aim 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, recent research suggests that a moderate level of germane load, which involves processes like schema construction and automation, can enhance deep understanding. For instance, a study by Sweller and colleagues found that reducing extraneous load through worked examples improved problem-solving performance in novices, but had little effect on experts who already possessed well-structured schemas. This highlights that instructional effectiveness is not solely about reducing load, but about aligning the type and amount of load with the learner's prior knowledge.