Group items tagged

Learning requires a change in the schematic structures of long term memory and is demonstrated by performance that progresses from clumsy, error-prone, slow and difficult to smooth and effortless. The change in performance occurs because as the learner becomes increasingly familiar with the material, the cognitive characteristics associated with the material are altered so that it can be handled more efficiently by working memory

information contained in instructional material must first be processed by working memory

Specific recommendations relative to the design of instructional material include: Change problem solving methods to avoid means-ends approaches that impose a heavy working memory load, by using goal-free problems or worked examples. Eliminate the working memory load associated with having to mentally integrate several sources of information by physically integrating those sources of information. Eliminate the working memory load associated with unnecessarily processing repetitive information by reducing redundancy. Increase working memory capacity by using auditory as well as visual information under conditions where both sources of information are essential (i.e. non-redundant) to understanding.