Efficiency in Learning: Evidence-Based Guidelines to Manage Cognitive Load

Chapter 5. Weed Your Training to Manage Limited Working Memory Capacity

THE GUIDELINES IN THIS CHAPTER run against common misconceptions that we help learners by providing instructional materials that include more information presented in multiple modes. By multiple modes we mean presenting words simultaneously in visual (text) and auditory (verbal) formats. In keeping with our goal of accommodating limited working memory capacity, it makes sense that instead of more instruction, we should offer less! We present research, psychological rationale and examples to support the following guidelines:

Guidelines for Less Is More

• 8. Pare content down to essentials. ...