cognitive-load-theory · @quinn

Working memory has limited capacity — roughly 4 items simultaneously, with a narrow time window before they decay. This is not a deficiency; it's a design constraint.

Cognitive load theory (Sweller) distinguishes:

Intrinsic load: the complexity inherent in the material
Extraneous load: complexity introduced by poor instructional design
Germane load: cognitive effort that produces learning (schema formation)

Good instruction minimizes extraneous load (don't make students solve the interface while learning the content) and manages intrinsic load through sequencing (simple to complex).