Brief Research Report: Psychometric Properties of a Cognitive Load Measure When Assessing the Load Associated With a Course (Journal Article)

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Abstract-

The cognitive load imposed by instruction is an important consideration for instructional designers. Theoretical models have traditionally divided total cognitive load into intrinsic, extrinsic, and germane load. The 10-item Cognitive Load Inventory (CLI-10) is designed to measure these three types of cognitive load. It is typically administered immediately following a discrete learning activity (e.g., a lecture). This study assesses the properties of the CLI-10 when used to measure the “long-term” cognitive load experienced in a course, over a semester. To do this, the instrument was given to a group of students enrolled in a veterinary anatomy course (N = 94), toward the end of a 13-week semester. Students were asked to indicate the cognitive load they experienced across this course. Confirmatory factor analysis supported the instrument’s three-factor structure when used in this way. Further, the instrument’s three subscales performed well in terms of internal reliability and convergent and discriminant validity.