What is Cognitive Load Theory?
Cognitive load theory, or CLT, explains that your brain can only hold a small amount of new information at once. Generally, it’s capped at five to nine new items. The good news is that learning gets easier when you cut out the unnecessary.
CLT breaks information into three types: intrinsic, extraneous and germane load. While intrinsic load is the difficulty of the material itself, extraneous load is how it’s delivered. Germane load is the mental work you put into moving newly learned information into long-term memory. So, how can we simplify this somewhat complex theory and apply it to your MedCerts program?
1. Removing Distractions and Mental Noise
Anything from a cluttered environment to lengthy study sessions increases the chance of getting overwhelmed. To boost your focus:
- Avoid multitasking.
- Put your phone on silent.
- Find a quiet place to learn.
- Break studying into shorter 25- to 30-minute sessions.
- Give yourself regular five-minute mental breaks.
2. Make Your Learning Manageable
The more complex the topic or lengthy the lesson, the more you could find your mind wandering. To keep information attainable:
- Identify any complex topics and break them into smaller tasks.
- Focus on one concept at a time.
- Create outlines or summaries to help with recall.
- Alternate written lessons with video learning.
MedCerts uses the 12 Elements of eLearning — including short video content, gamification and screen-based simulations — to keep you engaged and actively learning. These structured modules reduce your cognitive load, helping you focus on single concepts to build upon in each new lesson.
3. The Benefit of Visual Aids
Strengthen your study sessions with visual aids that simplify complex topics into bite-sized pieces. They’re also great for connecting ideas and building mental associations that boost your recall.
In your next study session, add one or more of the following:
- Mind maps
- Venn diagrams
- Flowcharts
- Infographics
- Storyboards
- Flashcards
4. The Strategies That Build Long-Term Memory
Germane load strategies, or how you process new information, should take up more mental space without adding stress. You want your brain to work toward the goal, because otherwise that new material won’t “stick.” Here are some engaging strategies to move information into your long-term memory:
- Use active recall to quiz yourself on last session’s material.
- Try spaced repetition by reviewing material after one, two, seven and 14 days apart.
- Write down a topic and create a summary in your own words.
- Choose a topic and teach it to someone else — including your pet!
- Ask “how” or “why” questions to better understand complex subjects.
5. Building a Low-Overwhelm Routine
By setting realistic habits based on CLT, you can study smarter, not harder. Start each session with the easiest content to give your brain a boost. Then, move to the content you’ve marked for review. You can also use MedCerts’ dashboards in your LMS to create and track your goals, with at-a-glance insights into your progress.
Ace Your Next Study Session
Knowing how to reduce cognitive load can make all the difference in your studies. The trick is to start small and build up to a balanced study routine that reinforces recall and educational success.
