Testing the additivity hypothesis of cognitive load theory [Elektronische Ressource] / vorgelegt von Babette Park

Testing the Additivity Hypothesis of Cognitive Load Theory Dissertation zur Erlangung des akademischen Grades eines Doktors der Philosophie der Philosophischen Fakultäten der Universität des Saarlandes vorgelegt von Babette Park aus Freiburg im Breisgau Saarbrücken, 2010 Dekan: Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Behringer Berichterstatter: Prof. Dr. Roland Brünken Prof. Dr. Tina Seufert Tag der Disputation: 5. Februar 2010 iiAbstract The present work focuses on the additivity hypothesis of Cognitive Load Theory in the frame of a research program supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (German Research Foundation; grant Br 2082/6-1). The additivity hypothesis predicts that effects of load-inducing factors on learning are additive (Paas, Renkl, & Sweller, 2003a). Until now, this core assumption of the widespread used theory has never been empirically tested. The present work investigated different combinations of extraneous and germane load factors in self-paced multimedia instruction to examine the additivity hypothesis. The instruction explained a molecular process in the domain of Biology and contained 11 multimedia screens with static pictures accompanied by verbal explanations. The highly complex learning issue is about structural as well as procedural information of energy storage in cells.