Building Expertise: Cognitive Methods for Training and Performance Improvement

Chapter 6. Managing Cognitive Load

Instructional designs that ignore working memory limitations are likely to be random in their effectiveness.

—JOHN SWELLER, "IMPLICATIONS OF COGNITIVE LOAD THEORY," 2005

IN THIS CHAPTER

I describe instructional methods you can use to optimize cognitive load in learning environments and in the workplace. I organize these methods based on how they work psychologically:

• Methods such as job aids to by-pass working memory

• Methods such as concise writing to minimize content

• Methods such as chunking and sequencing to impose content gradually

• Methods such as worked examples to minimize unproductive mental work

• Methods to maximize working memory capacity with judicious use of visual and audio modalities

The Cognitive Load Management ...