le_admin – The Language of Learning

What is it?

The mental effort or workload imposed on a person’s working memory when processing information.

Why is it important?

Understanding cognitive load is crucial for promoting effective learning, decision making, information processing, user experience, productivity, and training outcomes. In the context of learning and development, cognitive load theory provides insights you can apply to instructional design and delivery to improve the learning process.

Why does a business professional need to know this?

Business professionals who understand cognitive load are likely to better understand the work of their team members, especially those who design marketing and communication materials, learning content, instructional products, product design, and more.

There are three types of cognitive load you should know:

Intrinsic: The inherent complexity of the learning materials or task itself. Some topics or concepts naturally require more mental effort to understand and process. For example, advanced math equations or intricate scientific theories have a higher intrinsic cognitive load.
Extraneous: Mental effort that is not directly relevant to learning or task. Poorly designed materials, irrelevant information, or complicated instructions can increase extraneous cognitive load.
Germane: The mental effort required to engage in meaningful activities, make connections, and integrate new knowledge with existing knowledge. This effort enables us to develop a deeper understanding and foster long-term learning.

An understanding of cognitive load, especially understanding how to reduce extraneous cognitive load, can help you create more efficient and effective work processes, ultimately contributing to better outcomes for your organization.

And it can help you and your team design more user-friendly products, optimize training programs, improve decision-making, and facilitate collaboration, both within your team and across the organization.

References

(Paas 2020) Cognitive-Load Theory: Methods to Manage Working Memory Load in the Learning of Complex Tasks: Paas, Fred, and Jeroen J. G. van Merriënboer. Current Directions in Psychological Science 29, no. 4, (Aug. 2020): 394-398.
(Bleich 2019) Your Guide To Cognitive Load Theory And Learning: Bleich, Corey. (2019). Edgepoint Learning.
(Hughes 2019) Tips To Avoid Cognitive Overload In Employee Training Programs: Hughes, Andrew. (December 2019). eLearning Industry.
(Clark 2005) Efficiency in Learning: Evidence-Based Guidelines to Manage Cognitive Load: Clark, Ruth C., Frank Nguyen, and John Sweller. (2005). Pfeiffer. ISBN: 978-0787977283.

About Phylise Banner

Phylise Banner is a learning experience designer with more than 25 years of vision, action, and leadership experience in transformational learning and development approaches. A pioneer in online learning, she is an Adobe Education Leader, Certified Learning Environment Architect (CLEA), Project Management Professional (PMP), STC Fellow, performance storyteller, avid angler, and aviation enthusiast. She is also the proud owner of a 1967 Amphicar.

Term: Cognitive Load

Email: pbanner@gmail.com

Website: phylisebanner.com

Twitter: @phylisebanner

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/phylisebanner

What is it?

A visual and collaborative process for designing the spaces and places where people learn.

Why is it important?

Effective communication and collaboration during learning design projects often mean the difference between success and failure. When groups design learning experiences together, ideas and decisions often are invisible and lack a common design system.

Learning Environment Modeling (LEM) equips educators and learning experience designers with a visual system for creating, collaborating, and communicating. This helps save time, clarify ideas, and engage people around a shared vision for the learning experience.

Why does a business professional need to know this?

The learning functions of organizations can sometimes seem like an expense that lacks a connection to business results. Learning environment modeling connects the learning and business functions of organizations by aligning investments in learning environments to results and evidence.

At the core of learning environment modeling is a common design language(Dodd 2015) and a set of standards that allow people from diverse backgrounds and experiences to communicate clearly, effectively, and consistently when planning and designing learning experiences.

The learning environment modeling system comprises visual canvas tools to organize ideas and visual building blocks that visualize the structure and flow of learning experiences. The system can be used in both analog and digital formats and provides a common format for decision making and strategic thinking. The system is most effectively used during collaborative planning and design projects by a skilled and experienced facilitator.

Learning environment modeling gives educators and learning experience designers an effective tool to visualize, communicate, and collaborate on projects and initiatives. This can help you save time, reduce risks, and engage diverse stakeholders in meaningful, efficient, and effective ways.

References

(LX Studio) Learning Environment Modeling: Discover a New Solution for Designing World-Class Learning Experiences: LX Studio. An description of the LX Studio Learning Environment Modeling system.
(Dodd 2015) Overview of Learning Environment Modeling Language (LEML): Dodd, Bucky. (2015). YouTube video.

About Bucky Dodd

Bucky Dodd, PhD, is the Chief Executive Officer and Principal Consultant at ClearKinetic, a boutique consultancy specializing in creating one-of-a-kind education and training solutions.

Term: Learning Environment Modeling

Email: BuckyDodd@ClearKinetic.com

Website: clearkinetic.com

Twitter: @buckydodd

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/buckydodd