Cognitive Load Theory: MCQ Test on Working Memory and Learning
This Practice set covers essential concepts like intrinsic, extraneous and germane load. Boost your understanding of cognitive processing and memory systems today!
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📋 Total Questions: 30
⏳ Time Limit: 30 minutes
📝 Marking Scheme: +1 for each correct answer. No negative marking.
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1. What does cognitive load refer to?
The amount of information a person can hold in their long-term memory
The amount of mental effort used during problem-solving
The capacity of sensory memory
The ability to retrieve information from memory
2. What is the central idea of cognitive load theory?
The learning process is unaffected by memory limitations
Human cognitive processing capacity is limited and affects learning
Information is learned best through trial and error
People can multitask efficiently without cognitive overload
3. The term "intrinsic cognitive load" refers to:
The mental effort required to process new information
The mental effort required to process unfamiliar or complex tasks
The mental effort used to retrieve information from long-term memory
The effect of extraneous information on working memory
4. What is extraneous cognitive load?
The cognitive effort associated with learning material
The cognitive load created by irrelevant or unnecessary information
The cognitive effort involved in recalling information from memory
The cognitive load associated with well-organized information
5. What is germane cognitive load?
The cognitive load related to irrelevant information
The cognitive effort used to create new learning schemas
The cognitive load involved in storing information in long-term memory
The mental effort required to deal with distractions
6. Which of the following best describes working memory?
A storage system for long-term information
A mental system that handles sensory input
A cognitive system that processes and temporarily holds information
A cognitive system that processes learned knowledge
7. The capacity of working memory is best described as:
Unlimited
Limited to about 7 ± 2 chunks of information
A fixed capacity that cannot be increased
Unaffected by the amount of information processed
8. What is the role of long-term memory in cognitive load theory?
It plays no role in learning processes
It stores information that has been processed by working memory
It is the primary source of all new learning
It is responsible for cognitive overload
9. Which type of cognitive load is reduced by breaking down complex tasks into simpler steps?
Intrinsic cognitive load
Germane cognitive load
Extraneous cognitive load
Long-term memory load
10. The split-attention effect occurs when:
Visual and auditory information are integrated seamlessly
The learner is presented with too much information in one format
The learner must split attention between multiple sources of information
The learner is distracted by irrelevant material
11. What is the worked example effect?
Learning is more effective when learners work on problems without prior examples
Learning is enhanced when learners study worked examples before problem-solving
Learning is enhanced when learners engage in complex problem-solving tasks
Learning is not affected by the presence of worked examples
12. Which principle of cognitive load theory involves presenting information in both visual and verbal forms?
The redundancy effect
The multimedia principle
The split-attention effect
The modality effect
13. What does the modality effect suggest?
Learning is better when information is presented visually only
Learning is more effective when information is presented both visually and auditorily
Learning is more effective when information is presented in written form only
Learning is better when learners process information through written text
14. What is the goal of cognitive load theory in educational settings?
To increase the amount of information processed by long-term memory
To reduce the amount of irrelevant or unnecessary cognitive load
To encourage learners to multitask during problem-solving
To increase intrinsic cognitive load for better retention
15. The redundancy effect occurs when:
Information is presented in multiple formats without adding value
The same information is repeated without further elaboration
Learners are provided with extra visual aids to reduce cognitive load
Learners are given simple tasks to engage their cognitive processes
16. The cognitive load theory suggests that learning will be most effective when:
Cognitive overload is maximized
Information is structured and presented in manageable chunks
Learners are given continuous distractions to stimulate memory
The material is presented in a challenging and complex format
17. What does the theory of cognitive load suggest about the importance of schema development?
Schema development should be avoided to reduce memory overload
Schema development is irrelevant to the learning process
Schema development allows learners to organize information efficiently and reduce cognitive load
Schema development should occur after cognitive overload occurs
18. What is a key element of the cognitive load theory regarding cognitive effort?
Cognitive effort should always be maximized for learning
Cognitive effort should only be focused on processing sensory input
Cognitive effort should be managed to prevent cognitive overload
Cognitive effort has no effect on learning outcomes
19. The cognitive load theory emphasizes the importance of:
Multitasking to increase cognitive load
Providing visual and auditory information simultaneously to support learning
Reducing cognitive effort by simplifying tasks and instructions
Presenting information in a random and unstructured format
20. What is the role of automation in cognitive load theory?
Automation reduces the need for cognitive processing in tasks that are practiced
Automation increases cognitive load by requiring multitasking
Automation allows learners to avoid long-term memory storage
Automation does not impact cognitive load or learning efficiency
21. Which of the following is true about cognitive load theory and working memory?
Working memory has unlimited capacity for processing complex tasks
Working memory is crucial in processing information but has limited capacity
Working memory is not involved in learning processes
Working memory only processes information without making decisions
22. The process of cognitive offloading is best described as:
Offloading memory tasks to external tools to reduce cognitive load
Keeping all mental tasks within working memory for efficient processing
Engaging in multitasking to enhance memory retention
Using irrelevant information to ease the cognitive process
23. What is the effect of cognitive overload on learning?
Cognitive overload improves memory retention
Cognitive overload can hinder learning by overwhelming working memory
Cognitive overload is not related to the learning process