Dylan Wiliam on X: “I’ve come to the conclusion Sweller’s Cognitive Load Theory is the single most important thing for teachers to know.”
Just like standard algorithms in math, a teacher can apply the principles of Cognitive Load Theory into their classroom instruction without fully conceptualizing Cognitive Load Theory. However, there are brilliant minds out there that have distilled this knowledge into simple and clear explanations. This is a small collection of their wonderful work.
The first post in this series on Cognitive Load Theory is meant to be an introduction on the theory itself, with successive posts diving more into classroom application. Begin your personal knowledge-building journey into the world of Cognitive Load Theory through a sampling of various media below.
Podcasts
on the go
Episode 11: Cognitive load theory: Four items at a time, with Greg Ashman on Amplify
In this episode, Greg Ashman shares his journey from a constructivist model to his discovery of Cognitive Load Theory. He does an excellent job of explaining the theory simply and clearly. He has written extensively on the topic, including a book linked below.
#134 Ollie Lovell: Cognitive Load Theory in Action with Craig Barton on Mr Barton Maths Podcast
In true Ollie and Craig fashion, this is an enjoyable but very informative discussion about Ollie’s book (linked below) and the research behind it.
Memory Is the Residue of Thought: Daniel Willingham, Mind the Gap, Ep.105 (S6,E3) with Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner on Mind the Gap
This is a very interesting and insightful conversation with Daniel Willingham about cognitive science and how learning happens.
S3E12: Learning How we Learn & What that Means for Instruction with Dr. Nidhi Sachdeva-Part 1 with Elana Gordon on The Road to Reading Podcast
Nidhi does a lovely job of explaining cognitive science and theories that are so valuable for designing instruction.
Articles
quick read
American Educator, Spring 2009, Why don’t students like school by Daniel T. Willingham
This article includes Willingham’s famous simple model of the mind and is a quick article on how learning happens. His book by the same name is linked below.
Microlesson
mini course
Microlesson - Intro to Cognitive Load Theory | eCampusOntario H5P Studio, Nidhi Sachdeva, PhD
Nidhi Sachdeva has created a brilliant, quick, mini course on Cognitive Load Theory. The course itself is designed following all the principles of the theory in order to help you learn it quickly and effectively.
Texts
settle in for a good read
A Little Guide for Teachers: Cognitive Load Theory by Greg Ashman
This is a short but information packed book and the perfect introduction to Cognitive Load Theory.
Sweller’s Cognitive Load Theory in Action by Oliver Lovell
Lovell’s book is what really helped me understand cognitive load theory. This book is the perfect first book for a novice to the theory. This is also a great book to understand how to apply the theory’s principles to classroom instruction.
Make It Stick: The Science of Successful Learning by Peter C. Brown, Henry L. Roediger III, and Mark A. McDaniel
This was my introduction to how our brains learn, and it exposes so many misconceptions about how we remember and recall knowledge. It is an excellent read, and be prepared to have your previous understanding challenged - in a good way.
Why Don’t Students Like School?: A Cognitive Scientist Answers Questions About How the Mind Works and What It Means for the Classroom by Daniel T. Willingham
Written in a Question and Answer format, this is a must-read book on what is going on in the learning brain and how it informs classroom instruction.
Excited to dive into these resources!!
Love all of those resources! Thanks for including mine. Dr. Sachdeva’s work makes everything so accessible.