D4L Project: Money Management for Adult Learners - How to Address Cognitive Load (Pauline, Bethany, Bill, Jason)

Strategies to alleviate INTRINSIC cognitive load

Strategies to alleviate EXTRANEOUS cognitive load

Strategies to alleviate GERMANE cognitive load

Context

Learners

Possessing 11-12 grade equivalent knowledge

Pursuing high-school equivalent diploma

Limited resources (such as computers), but may possess smart phone

Subject

Require pre-requisite knowledge and skills

Deal with numbers and mathematical problems

May be dealing with financial issue

A quick overview/refresher about percentages: using small amount numbers and examples

Adult basic educators

Volunteering

May not have pedagogical knowledge

Teaching is not their professional career

Show a brief introduction video to prepare the learners to initially understand the topic

Use plain and simple language (bullet points are acceptable)

Brief description/explanation on any written instructions

Recommend educators to give verbal instructions rather than telling learners to read long written instructions

Use simple worked example for the initial practice, before giving them a whole complex scenario. We use play money for learners to practice in class.

We won't place the symbols/short text far away from the image/diagram when designing learning resources (to avoid split attention).

Use only relevant resources and scenarios. Less is better, succinct is better.

Use minimalist design when creating PowerPoint, handouts, and job aids.

Use scaffolding activities (guidance fading effect). First, using example with solution. Second, using example with some solution and learners will have to complete it.

Sub-topics are organized and sequenced according to complexity. Using Direct Instruction model is also helpful in organizing the lesson presentation.

Use relevant scenarios to help learners make-meaning (Making meaning helps information transfer to long-term memory more effectively)

Employ applicable exercises that they can implement immediately