Cognitive Load Theory
Lecture 4 · Updated today
Working memory
Working memory holds about four chunks at a time — not the older "seven plus or minus two" estimate. What looks like a memory limit is often an attention limit.
Three types of load
- •Intrinsic — complexity inherent to the material.
- •Extraneous — wasted effort from poor presentation.
- •Germane — productive effort that builds schemas.
"Reduce extraneous load with worked examples and chunked instruction."
See also: cognitive_load.py and the full lecture.