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Teaching and Learning

Cognitive Load Theory – Understanding & Applying

Cognitive load theory explains why pupils forget what you taught last lesson, and what you can change so more of it sticks.

  • 16 minutes
  • 0.5 CPD hours
  • Certificate
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On its own: £51 including VAT · 12 months' access

About this course

You ask "what did we do last lesson?" and get a room of blank faces. Often it comes down to load. Working memory can only hold so much at once, and whatever doesn't get processed never makes it into long-term memory.

This course explains cognitive load theory in plain terms and turns it into habits for planning and teaching. Model a worked example on the board, let pupils follow your steps, then take the scaffolding away as their confidence grows. Give a spoken explanation alongside a diagram, rather than handing out notes afterwards, which is dual coding. And cut the interesting but non-essential extras, especially in revision lessons.

Starting each lesson where the last one ended, with concept maps and knowledge organisers, helps pupils connect what they learn over time.

Modules

6 modules
  1. 1Introduction2 min
  2. 2The relevance to the classroom3 min
  3. 3Plan lessons to include worked examples and cater to students’ existing knowledge3 min
  4. 4Simplify difficult information by presenting it in a range of formats2 min
  5. 5Wrap up3 min
  6. 6Exclude non-essential content3 min

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Good to know

  • A certificate with your CPD hours that anyone can check online.
  • Buy the course and you have 12 months to finish it.
  • Stop when you like and pick up where you left off.
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On its own: £51 including VAT · 12 months' access

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