Cognitive Load: Theory and Applications

In psychology, cognitive load refers to the used amount of working memory resources. This book contains four chapters that each provide a unique perspective on the theory of cognitive load. Chapter One describes the use of multi-media software packages in an educational context and the impact of multi-modal teaching methods on cognitive load. Chapter Two presents the results of a study that sought to determine whether the inverse method is better than the balance method for learning to solve linear equations with a negative pronumeral within the framework of cognitive load theory. Chapter Three discusses how teaching writing skills could benefit from considering cognitive load effects and techniques with clear cognitive load implications when designing pedagogical practices. Chapter Four introduces human cognitive architecture as the basis of cognitive load theory and summarizes the cognitive load effects that apply in teaching mathematics.