The concept of 'cognitive load' refers to the amount of mental effort being used in the working memory. According to cognitive load theory, instructional design should minimize extraneous cognitive load to facilitate learning. Extraneous load is generated by the way information is presented to learners, rather than by the inherent complexity of the material itself. For instance, a poorly designed diagram that requires the learner to search for corresponding labels can increase extraneous load, thereby impeding the construction of schemas. In contrast, intrinsic load is related to the difficulty of the subject matter itself and cannot be altered by instructional manipulations. Effective teaching strategies, therefore, aim to manage intrinsic load while reducing extraneous load, allowing learners to devote more cognitive resources to the essential aspects of the task.
❓ According to the passage, what is the primary goal of instructional design in relation to cognitive load?
A. To eliminate all forms of cognitive load to make learning effortless.
B. To increase intrinsic load to challenge learners more deeply.
C. To reduce extraneous load while managing intrinsic load effectively.
D. To create complex diagrams that require more mental effort.
✅ Correct Answer
C. To reduce extraneous load while managing intrinsic load effectively.
