Cognitive Load Measurement as a Means to Advance Cognitive Load Theory
2003/01/01 by Fred Paas, Juhani E. Tuovinen, Huib Tabbers +2 · 2,492 citations
Computer Science · Neuroscience · Psychology · #Artificial intelligence #Cognition #Cognitive architecture #Cognitive load #Cognitive psychology #Cognitive science #Computer science #Effects of sleep deprivation on cognitive performance #Information processing #Information processing theory #Intelligent Tutoring Systems and Adaptive Learning #Neuroscience #Psychology #Variety (cybernetics) #Visual and Cognitive Learning Processes #Working memory
paper · doi:10.1207/s15326985ep3801_8
published in Educational Psychologist 38(1), 63-71 (Routledge)
openalex publication_date 2003/01/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/06
Abstract
In this article, we discuss cognitive load measurement techniques with regard to their contribu-tion to cognitive load theory (CLT). CLT is concerned with the design of instructional methods that efficiently use people’s limited cognitive processing capacity to apply acquired knowledge and skills to new situations (i.e., transfer). CLT is based on a cognitive architecture that consists of a limited working memory with partly independent processing units for visual and auditory information, which interacts with an unlimited long-term memory. These structures and func-tions of human cognitive architecture have been used to design a variety of novel efficient in-structional methods. The associated research has shown that measures of cognitive load can re-veal important information for CLT that is not necessarily reflected by traditional performance-based measures. Particularly, the combination of performance and cognitive load measures has been identified to constitute a reliable estimate of the mental efficiency of instruc-tional methods. The discussion of previously used cognitive load measurement techniques and their role in the advancement of CLT is followed by a discussion of aspects of CLT that may benefit by measurement of cognitive load. Within the cognitive load framework, we also discuss some promising new techniques.
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