Cognitive Load Theory

Definition

The principle that brains have limited working memory, so dumping 50 slides of information per lecture is pedagogically criminal.

Example Usage

The professor finally applied cognitive load theory by reducing information density, and suddenly students could actually learn.

Origin

Developed by John Sweller in the 1980s

Fun Fact

Studies show students retain only 10-20% of information delivered in dense lectures, yet lectures remain the default teaching method.

Source: Cognitive Load Theory (Sweller, J., 1988)

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