Cited by 244Visual and Cognitive Learning ProcessesInnovative Teaching and Learning MethodsEducational Strategies and Epistemologies

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 168 of the 168 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.

Understanding instructions.

Open access
Marcus, Nadine, Cooper, Martin, Sweller, John·1996·Journal of Educational Psychology

Abstract

The understanding of instructions was explored within the context of cognitive load theory.Instructional material may be difficult to understand if it consists of many elements that must be held in working memory simultaneously.If the number of elements that must be processed exceeds working-memory capacity, then some elements must be combined into schemas before the material can be understood.Some diagrams may reduce cognitive load by providing such a schema.In Experiments 1 to 4, three different electrical resistor problems were given to students to complete, with instructions presented using diagrams (which cue pre-existing schemas) or text.In Experiment 5, four different angle construction tasks were given to students to complete.Instructions were presented using either diagrams which cue pre-existing schemas, diagrams which were unlikely to cue pre-existing schemas, or text.Results, including measures of cognitive load, suggested that understanding depends on the degree of interaction among elements of information.However, if interacting elements can be incorporated into a diagrammatic schema by modifying the instructional presentation mode, cognitive load will be reduced and understanding enhanced.

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Crossref · 10.1037/0022-0663.88.1.49

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168 of 168 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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Metadata

Authors
Marcus, N., Cooper, M., & Sweller, J.
Venue
Journal of Educational Psychology
Published
1996-03
Volume
88
Issue
1
Pages
49-63
ISSN
  • 0022-0663 (ISSN-L)
  • 1939-2176
OpenAlex
W4214825932
Cited by
244
References
160
Citations by year
2026: 8 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 10 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 12 · 2021: 11 · 2020: 9 · 2019: 8 · 2018: 9 · 2017: 6 · 2016: 12 · 2015: 12 · 2014: 11 · 2013: 13 · 2012: 20
FWCI
4.37
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
cc-by-nc-nd
Locations
  • Journal of Educational Psychology (publishedVersion)
  • UNSWorks (University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • UNSWorks (UNSW Sydney)
Funders
University of New South Wales
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Visual and Cognitive Learning Processes
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Innovative Teaching and Learning Methods
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Educational Strategies and Epistemologies
Keywords
instruction understanding, cognitive load theory, working memory capacity, schemas, diagrams, text-based teaching, information interaction

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