How do we know when the cognitive load is too high for an emergent bilingual student and what options are there to adjust it? by Brooke Naugle

Cognitive Load Theory for Emergent Bilingual Learners

brooke_naugle — 2024-09-20 21:47:09 UTC

This article does a great job of introducing a theory that might aid in helping your future emergent bilingual students! It explains cognitive load theory, what it does, and how to apply it. Main points are:

There are two types of memory: Working and long-term memory.
Cognitive load theory says that the working memory has limited amount of space, which when overwhelmed, can affect learning.
Cognitive overload stops a student from learning.
Using schemata can help reduce overload by transferring information from working to long-term memory.
Schemata are when new information can be categorized into previously learned information effectively.

These are only some great points found throughout the website. I would recommend reading the rest to see how to incorporate it into your future classroom.

Strategies that can make instruction fun and informative for your Emergent Bilingual Learners

brooke_naugle — 2024-09-20 21:50:50 UTC

This article gives great advice on how to format your instruction to best meet ALL learners. This can make learning less stressful and accommodate various student needs.The main strategies noted in this article include:

Adding technology to instruction
Using visual aids
Making the classroom inclusive
Build vocabulary and use basic language

In summary, this article details how to prevent cognitive overload in emergent bilingual students.

Interesting Research About Speech and Cognitive Overload

brooke_naugle — 2024-09-24 17:21:40 UTC

This research report from the University of California details how when a person is under cognitive load, speech can sound faster than it is. This can potentially affect how Bilingual Emergent students learn and perceive speech. Additionally, when under cognitive stress, it is more difficult to encode, or write down, incoming speech. This research may help in the classroom by having a teacher take into account that stress can impact how spoken language is perceived to an emergent bilingual student.

Symptoms and Categories of Cognitive Overload

brooke_naugle — 2024-09-24 17:41:40 UTC

While searching for symptoms of cognitive overload in students, I found this blog that details the different types of overload and the symptoms that may occur from cognitive overload in students. You may have to scroll down to find the symptoms, but I have also listed some below:

Anxiety
Difficulty focusing
Decrease in motivation
Confusion

Although this article gives symptoms of cognitive overload, it is also a great resource for explaining what cognitive overload is.

Research on Cognitive Overload in an Online Classroom with Focus on Emergent Bilingual Learners.

brooke_naugle — 2024-09-24 17:56:19 UTC

This research, done in Japan, details how cognitive overload can affect students in a regular classroom and an online classroom and how it can affect Emergent Bilingual Learners.

The main points in the article are:

Classes that were face-to-face performed better than classes online.
Implementing strategies to reduce cognitive overload can help improve performance in both face-to-face and online classes.
The article centers on classes where students are learning English.

While reading this article, it is important to consider that not all students in the online class got lower grades. In fact, some did better than those who were at in-person classes. This could suggest that cognitive overload affected students differently because of outside forces. Regardless, I believe this research is a great one to read.

Details the Effects of Anxiety when it Comes to Language Learning in School

brooke_naugle — 2024-09-24 18:01:51 UTC

This research asks questions about language learning and anxiety in the classroom. It talks about how students who have anxiety will struggle in their academic performance. That is because anxiety requires resources from working memory, which is unfavorable since working memory is central to learning new topics. In regards to ESL, anxiety can have a significant impact on language acquisition. Lastly, this research paper includes ways that an educator can reduce anxiety in the classroom.

Video that gives a simple explanation of Cognitive Load Theory

brooke_naugle — 2024-09-24 18:05:52 UTC

In the video, it explains what Cognitive Load Theory is and how to use it to help our students.

A More In-Depth Video on Cognitive Load Theory

brooke_naugle — 2024-09-24 18:07:13 UTC

The video above delves more into the Cognitive Load Theory and how to use it in the classroom for all students.

Presentation on Cognitive Load Theory

brooke_naugle — 2024-09-24 18:14:38 UTC

This slideshow provides excellent information on Cognitive Load Theory in a straightforward way. However, some videos are no longer available, so watch the other videos on this Padlet! Here are the main ideas from this resource:

Reduce redundant information in the classroom.
Learning requires that working memory be engaged.
Germane cognitive load helps process, construct, and automate schemas.
Intrinsic cognitive load is the "difficulty" associated with learning a new idea.
Extraneous cognitive load is how that idea is presented or taught.

As mentioned before, this slideshow explains the three categories of cognitive load: germane, extraneous, and intrinsic. I definitely recommend going through the slideshow as it offers a lot of information about the cognitive load theory.

Picture of Cognitive Load Theory

brooke_naugle — 2024-09-24 18:18:29 UTC

If you're a visual learner like me, you might need a visual for Cognitive Load Theory. This picture above does a great job of simplifying it. I recommend reading the other resources provided on this Padlet before looking at this picture. That way, you can put it all together. I will also provide the link if you need to zoom into the picture. Link: IQ's Corner: Nice visual graphic of cognitive load theory (iqscorner.com )

References

brooke_naugle — 2024-09-24 18:46:57 UTC

Cognitive Load Theory for Language Acquisition

brooke_naugle — 2024-11-13 01:22:52 UTC

This article, from the founder of CLT himself, details the benefits of CLT when it comes to learning a new language. It explains the process and why that process works. I highly recommend that you read it.