Measurement of Cognitive Load in Multimedia Learning: A Comparison of Different Objective Measures

• In Event: 49.088 - Roundtable Session 17
  In Roundtable Session: 49.088-20 - Topics in Cognition

Abstract

Different indicators are interesting for analyzing human learning processes. Recent studies analyze learning performance and cognitive load, an indicator for learners’ invested mental effort. In order to validate different measures, the present study compares three different methods of objective cognitive load measurement, reviewing the seductive details effect in a computer-based multimedia learning instruction. A two-group design (N=50) was used, varying seductive details between the groups. Cognitive load was measured by the rhythm method, eye-tracking data and the index of cognitive activity (ICA). Results confirm the seductive details effect with an overall decrease for all performance measures, except the ICA values. The results show the suitability of different objective measures for a direct online cognitive load assessment in multimedia learning.

Authors

• Andreas Korbach, Saarland University

• Lisa Knoerzer, Saarland University

• Roland Bruenken, Saarland University

• Babette Park, Saarland University