Cited by 3,041Visual and Cognitive Learning ProcessesInnovative Teaching and Learning MethodsEducational Strategies and Epistemologies

Cognitive Load Theory and Instructional Design: Recent Developments

Paas, Fred, Renkl, Alexander, Sweller, John·2003·Educational Psychologist

Abstract

(2003). Cognitive Load Theory and Instructional Design: Recent Developments. Educational Psychologist: Vol. 38, No. 1, pp. 1-4.

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Crossref · 10.1207/s15326985ep3801_1

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  • Intrinsic load cannot be changed by instructional treatments.

    “The second premise concerning intrinsic cognitive load is that it cannot be changed by instructional treatments.”
  • An important premise of cognitive load theory is that the different types of cognitive load can be added.

    “An important premise of cognitive load theory is that the different types of cognitive load can be added.”
  • Higher prior knowledge learners were able to allocate more cognitive resources to constructing and refining their schemas, a key factor in deep learning.

    “These findings support the assumption that learners with higher prior knowledge were able to allocate more cognitive resources to constructing and refining their schemas, a key factor in deep learning (Paas et al., 2003).”
  • Cognitive load theory suggests that the free exploration of a highly complex environment may generate a heavy working memory load that is detrimental to learning.

    “cognitive load theory suggests that the free exploration of a highly complex environment may generate a heavy working memory load that is detrimental to learning.”
  • Long-term memory has virtually unlimited capacity and can serve as added processing capacity through schemas.

    “The second structure, long-term memory, is a knowledge base with a virtually unlimited capacity that can serve as added processing capacity by means of schemas, that is, cognitive structures in which separate elements are aggregated in one specialized element that can be processed by WM as a single element (Paas et al. 2003).”

    From Interactivity in Video-based Models (2007) · cites this paper as Paas et al. 2003

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Authors
Paas, F., Renkl, A., & Sweller, J.
Affiliations
  • Open University of the Netherlands (NL)
  • University of Freiburg (DE)
  • UNSW Sydney (AU)
Venue
Educational Psychologist
Published
2003-01-01
Volume
38
Issue
1
Pages
1-4
ISSN
  • 0046-1520 (ISSN-L)
  • 1532-6985
OpenAlex
W2046036800
Cited by
3,041
References
0
Citations by year
2026: 397 · 2025: 264 · 2024: 185 · 2023: 167 · 2022: 142 · 2021: 173 · 2020: 151 · 2019: 204 · 2018: 130 · 2017: 114 · 2016: 117 · 2015: 112 · 2014: 117 · 2013: 135 · 2012: 102
FWCI
52.15
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
Educational Psychologist (publishedVersion)
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
cognitive load theory, instructional design, working memory, instructional development

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