EP264 Help students do more with less effort using cognitive load theory (with Jennifer Brinkmeyer)

Angela Watson's Truth for Teachers

Angela Watson

Teachers, Courses, Education, Teaching

4.9 • 1.2K Ratings

🗓️ 2 October 2022

⏱️ 26 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

When students struggle to focus, follow directions, and stay on task, it may be helpful to consider cognitive load theory.

Classroom teacher Jennifer Brinkmeyer’s my guest in this episode to talk about how she’s utilized her research in this area to help students get more done with less mental effort.

Cognitive load is a learning theory developed by educational psychologist John Sweller. In this theory, our brains are compared to a computer’s working memory. Just as a computer can only hold so much information in its working memory at a time, so can a brain.

There are 3 types of cognitive load to consider: intrinsic, germane, and extraneous loads. Surprisingly to both Jennifer and I, the goal is NOT to minimize all of them!

Listen in as Jennifer breaks down how cognitive load theory is applicable in her classroom, and the 3 tips she has for considering cognitive load during instructional time.

Click here to read the transcript and participate in the discussion or, join our podcast Facebook group here to connect with other teachers and discuss the Truth for Teachers' podcast episodes.

Transcript

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0:00.0	Welcome to episode 264 of Angela Watson's Truth for Teachers.
0:04.1	I'm your host Angela Watson and I'm here to speak encouragement into the hearts of educators
0:09.2	and get you informed and energized for the week ahead.
0:12.6	Today I'm talking with teacher Jennifer Brinkmeyer about cognitive load theory
0:17.0	and how we can translate their research on cognitive loads to help students do more with less effort.
0:23.8	Visit truthforteachers.com to get an easy to read, easy to share version of this podcast episode.
0:30.9	I first started this podcast in 2015 and nearly 300 episodes later,
0:36.0	I'm proud to say there's a wealth of helpful information available to you.
0:39.7	But you don't have time to listen to 300 episodes.
0:42.7	How do you know you didn't miss out on something great a while back?
0:47.8	What if there's something you need to hear now that I haven't talked about in a while?
0:51.9	Enter the new Truth for Teachers playlist.
0:55.0	I've carefully curated the episodes I'm most proud of and that I think will help you the most
0:59.7	from our seven years of podcasting. Choose from the greatest hits playlist,
1:04.4	the encouragement playlist, the productivity playlist, and the student engagement playlist.
1:10.4	Just go to truthforteachers.com forward slash playlist and enter your email address to
1:16.0	receive the one that you want. I'll send you a PDF with a description of each episode,
1:20.5	a link to its blog post, and a link to the MP3 file for listening.
1:24.8	It also shares some special bonuses and other related resources I think you might like.
1:29.2	I hope this helps you find the best of our Truth for Teachers podcast.
1:32.6	Just go to truthforteachers.com forward slash playlist.
1:38.8	I'm talking today with Jennifer Brinkmire, who's part of our Truth for Teachers writers collective.
	...

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