The Cult of Pedagogy Podcast cover image

The Cult of Pedagogy Podcast

244: Three Ways You May Be Cognitively Overloading Your Students

Feb 17, 2025
Blake Harvard, an AP psychology teacher and author of "Do I Have Your Attention?", dives into the challenges of cognitive overload in education. He outlines three common teaching practices that can confuse students without teachers even realizing it. Blake shares practical strategies to simplify instruction and enhance clarity by understanding cognitive processes. He also discusses the impact of information overload and offers tips for presenting material cohesively. This conversation is a must-listen for educators seeking to optimize learning!
40:18

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Cognitive overload in students can result from teachers inadvertently overwhelming them with unnecessary details and complex strategies during instruction.
  • By understanding cognitive science principles, educators can simplify their teaching to enhance clarity and better facilitate student learning.

Deep dives

Understanding Cognitive Overload

Cognitive overload can occur when teachers unknowingly overwhelm students with excessive information or complex instructional strategies. This can impair students’ ability to process and retain new information effectively. Recognizing the limitations of working memory, educators can refine their teaching approaches to reduce cognitive load. By aligning instruction with cognitive science principles, teachers can create clearer learning experiences that facilitate better student understanding.

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