Cognitive Load Theory 3 - intrinsic, extraneous, germane.

The concept of cognitive load comprises three types: intrinsic, extraneous, and germane load, which collectively influence a learner's capacity to process information. Intrinsic load relates to the inherent difficulty of a task, shaped by the number of novel elements involved and their interactivity. Learners with more established long-term memory can better handle novel information, easing the intrinsic load based on task complexity and learner expertise. Extraneous load refers to the burden imposed by poorly designed instructional materials that distract from learning, such as irrelevant details or poor presentation. This unnecessary load can diminish cognitive capacity and hinder learning. Finally, germane load focuses on the mental effort necessary for integrating new information with prior knowledge. Effective instructional design aims to balance these loads by managing task complexity, minimizing distractions, and fostering connections with existing knowledge to promote a productive learning environment.