Learning and Understanding Science Instructional Material.
Learning and understanding of science instructional material was examined from a cognitive load perspective. Diagrams were expected to reduce cognitive load by allowing students to process information using fewer elements in working memory than an equivalent text-based format. Two experiments using different chemistry instructions confirmed these hypotheses and so highlight the role of cognitive load factors in instructional design. (Contains 34 references, 2 tables, 7 figures, and 2 appendixes.) (GCP)