Efficiency in Learning: Evidence-Based Guidelines to Manage Cognitive Load

by Ruth Colvin Clark, Frank Nguyen, John Sweller

Efficiency in Learning offers a road map of the most effective ways to use the three fundamental communication of training: visuals, written text, and audio. Regardless of how you are delivering your training materials—in the classroom, in print, by synchronous or asynchronous media—the book’s methods are easily applied to your lesson presentations, handouts, reference guides, or e-learning screens. Designed to be a down-to-earth resource for all instructional professionals, Efficiency in Learning ’s guidelines are clearly illustrated with real-world examples.

Genres: Education, Nonfiction, Productivity, Communication, Textbooks

416 pages, Hardcover

First published December 1, 2005

About the author

A recognized specialist in instructional design and technical training, Dr. Clark holds a doctorate in Educational Psychology and Instructional Technology from the University of Southern California. Prior to founding CLARK Training & Consulting, Dr. Clark served as training manager for Southern California Edison. She is past president of the International Society for Performance Improvement and author of five books and numerous articles. Dr. Clark is the 2006 recipient of the Thomas F. Gilbert Distinguished Professional Achievement Award from ISPI.

(Bio taken from the Clark Training website)

Reviews

[Jeferson Silva · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ótimo livro para entender mais sobre como a teoria da carga cognitiva pode ser utilizada para melhorar a forma como treinamentos são construídos e aplicados. O livro apresenta uma série de diretrizes que ajudam a gerenciar os diferentes tipos de carga cognitiva de modo a facilitar o aprendizado. Cada recomendação é apresentada com uma farta quantidade de referências para os estudos realizados que comprovam a sua eficácia.

[Robert Bogue · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recently wrote an article for TrainingIndustry.com titled “Everything You Think You Know about Learning Retention Rates is Wrong” which is perhaps a bit of a hyperbole but it’s based on the discovery that the traditional thinking about how people learn is wrong. It’s based on Edgar Dale’s Cone of Experience which didn’t have research to support retention rates and was never intended to be used as it has been. In the article I made the assertion that there’s not been a great deal of research on learning rates differing between different modes of instruction – which I still believe. However, in the research for that article I stumbled across the book Efficiency in Learning: Evidence-Based Guidelines to Manage Cognitive Load – and I’m impressed. Ruth Clark, Frank Nguyen, and John Sweller did a great job of converting the research studies that are available into a set of guidelines for developing content that are both easy to understand and are on a solid research foundation.

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[tyler · Rating 4 out of 5]

very good book motivated by practicality, i read the whole thing but you could probably read just read the bullet points to get the highlights and then go back and read the detail later. there is a lot of material that is repeated throughout the book. additionally, pretty much every 'study' is helpfully displayed in a dark gray box so they are easy to find. plenty of recommended readings/references for each topic.

i didn't have access to the cd or e-learning materials

[Cathy Proses · Rating 4 out of 5]

Specific methods to enhance learning. Thought provoking. Questions convention.