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 Sweller's cognitive load theory, learning is hindered when the intrinsic complexity of the material, combined with the way it is presented, exceeds the learner's available working memory capacity. This can lead to cognitive overload, reducing the ability to process and retain new information. However, by simplifying the presentation of information and breaking down complex tasks into smaller steps, educators can reduce extraneous cognitive load, allowing learners to focus on essential elements. Research suggests that incorporating worked examples and eliminating redundant information are effective strategies for managing cognitive load, particularly for novice learners who lack prior schemas to organize new knowledge.