Intrinsic load deals with how complex the material is to digest.

State University of New York at Stony Brook

Cognitive load theory deals with how students receive information and then process it from their short-term memory into their long-term memory. Three components of cognitive load include extraneous load, germane load, and intrinsic load. 

Cognitive Load Theory

Costley, Jamie & Fanguy, Mik. (2021). Collaborative note‑taking affects cognitive load: the interplay of completeness and interaction. Educational Technology Research and Development. 69. 10.1007/s11423-021-09979-2.

Collaborative note‑taking affects cognitive load: the interplay of completeness and interaction

Intrinsic Load 

Extraneous load deals with the aspects of the information transfer that may lead to confusion.

Extraneous Load

Germane load deals with the information that the students have absorbed. 


Germane Load 

Cognitive load theory helps understand how collaboration impacts student learning. In theory, group work is supposed to help in comprehension and minimize confusion. However, studies have shown that collaboration has unclear effects on cognitive load. Thus, it is essential to examine this further.


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