Many of us have heard the term “cognitive load” and have generally been told to reduce it. Did you know that there is a “good” kind of cognitive load? There are actually three kinds: one we can mitigate, one difficult to mitigate, and one we may not want to mitigate. This makes cognitive load less an act of removal and more an act of balance.

In this session, we will identify the three types of cognitive load (intrinsic, extraneous, and germane) and openly discuss ways to make the most of each. You will learn how to balance these three types to reduce learner effort, increase engagement, and improve learner performance.

In this session you will learn:

• To identify and differentiate the three different types of cognitive load
• To analyze which types of cognitive load should be reduced or, if appropriate, embraced
• Methods and techniques to improve the most difficult kind of cognitive load (intrinsic)
• To design and construct learning using a balance of strategic cognitive load techniques to improve the learner experience