Reducing Cognitive Load in Online Learning

Reducing Cognitive Load in Online Learning

Simple changes that improve student understanding

Click button to begin

In this lesson, you’ll learn:

1.

What cognitive load is and why it matters

2.

Common design choices that increase overload

3.

Simple strategies to improve clarity and accessibility

Next

Which design is more effective? Click your choice.

Option A

Option B

Cognitive load = mental effort used to process information

• Poor design increases load when:
• Too much information is presented at once
• Content lacks clear organization
• Formatting is inconsistent
• Multiple elements compete for attention

Result:

• Reduced understanding
• Difficulty retaining and applying information

Cognitive load refers to the amount of mental effort being used in working memory, and when instructional materials are not designed effectively, learners can become overwhelmed by too much information presented at once, unclear organization, inconsistent formatting, and competing visual elements, which can ultimately reduce comprehension and make it more difficult for students to retain and apply what they have learned.

Option A

Option B

Next

Common Design Choices That Increase Cognitive Load

❌ Too much text on one screen Learners must process too much at once ❌ Lack of clear structure Information is difficult to follow

❌ Inconsistent formatting Forces learners to reorient constantly ❌ Competing visuals Distracts from key ideas

Next

Strategies to Reduce Cognitive Load

✔️ Use short, focused text Highlight only essential information ✔️ Organize content clearly Use headings and logical flow

✔️ Keep formatting consistent Maintain predictable layouts ✔️ Limit visual distractions Use visuals intentionally

Next

Check Your Understanding

Which of the following best reduces cognitive load?

👉 Select an answer to see feedback

A. Adding more text to explain concepts

B. Using consistent structure and clear organization

What is one change you could make to improve clarity in your own course?

C. Including multiple competing visuals

This design increases cognitive load due to dense text, limited structure, and competing information.

This design reduces cognitive load by organizing information clearly, limiting distractions, and making key ideas easier to process.