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 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, such as confusing diagrams or irrelevant instructions. Germane load, conversely, is the effort devoted to processing and understanding the material, which contributes to learning. Research suggests that instructional design should aim to reduce extraneous load and optimize germane load, especially for novice learners who may struggle with high intrinsic complexity. However, what works for experts might not benefit novices, as their prior knowledge influences how they allocate cognitive resources. Therefore, tailoring instruction to the learner's level is crucial for effective education.