One Approach to Designing Learning Videos That Avoid Cognitive Overload

Have you ever watched a learning video and felt completely overwhelmed, even though the topic itself wasn't that complicated? That feeling of mental exhaustion is cognitive overload, and it's often the result of poor instructional design.

Host Matt Pierce introduces Cognitive Load Theory (CLT), a framework that explains how our brains process information and, more importantly, how we can design learning experiences that work with our cognitive limitations rather than against them.

Matt breaks down the three types of cognitive load: intrinsic (the inherent difficulty of the material), extraneous (unnecessary mental effort caused by poor design), and germane (the beneficial mental effort that leads to real learning).

Throughout the episode, Matt shares practical, actionable strategies that video creators can implement immediately to create videos that teach rather than overwhelm.

Learning points from the episode include:

• 00:00 - 01:00 Introduction to cognitive overload in learning videos
• 01:00 - 02:30 What cognitive load theory is
• 02:30 - 03:45 A closer look at the three types of cognitive load in practice
• 03:45 - 05:17 Managing content difficulty
• 05:17 - 07:00 Timing actions for visual clarity
• 07:00 - 09:46 Removing distractions and simplifying visuals
• 09:46 - 11:00 Simplifying learning for better retention
• 11:00 - 11:50 Promoting deeper understanding in videos
• 11:50 - 13:10 Practical application and resources for creating effective training videos
• 13:10 - 13:30 Outro

Important links and mentions:

• Learn more about Dr Richard Mayer’s principles for multimedia learning: https://www.digitallearninginstitute.com/blog/mayers-principles-multimedia-learning
• Find more resources from Jonathan Halls: https://jonathanhalls.com/