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| Uncluttered 2025 |
Managing Cognitive Load and Reducing Cognitive Debt
Task batching- group similar tasks and complete them during a set period of time to avoid constant switching between very different tasks. Consider responding to emails and texts at specific times of a day.
Digital Decluttering- Create a more focused digital environment by removing unused files, emails, apps, and other digital tools from your workspaces, including a digital desktop. Remove distracting photos, videos, and other images. Reducing distractions may help us complete important tasks.
Remove environmental distractions such as noises, notifications, and interruptions.
Deploy Cognitive Offloading strategically- tools like to do lists, scheduling, checklists, and templates can help simplify routine tasks.
Use concept mapping to help quickly see relationships among concepts in written work
Avoid multitasking, which can increase cognitive load. Instead of multitasking, perform tasks in order of priority.
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| Geoffrey W Sutton 2025 |
Resting- set aside time for rest breaks from all digital devices and tasks requiring cognitive effort.
See the annotated references at the end of this post for more ideas related to teaching, speaking, and preaching.
COGNITIVE LOAD and Related Concepts
Cognitive Load and Cognitive Load Theory
Self-Interruptions and Cognition
Post Author
Geoffrey W. Sutton, Professor Emeritus of Psychology at Evangel University, holds a master’s degree in counseling and a PhD in psychology from the University of Missouri-Columbia. His postdoctoral work encompassed education and supervision in forensic and neuropsychology. As a licensed psychologist, he conducted clinical and neuropsychological evaluations and provided psychotherapy for patients in various settings, including schools, hospitals, and private offices. During his tenure as a professor, Dr. Sutton taught courses on psychotherapy, assessment, and research. He has authored over one hundred publications, including books, book chapters, and articles in peer-reviewed psychology journals. His website is https://suttong.com
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Cognitive Load Management References
🧠Cognitive-Load Theory: Methods to Manage Working Memory Load in the Learning of Complex Tasks
Paas, F., & van Merriënboer, J. J. G. (2020). Current Directions in Psychological Science, 29(4), 394–398. https://doi.org/10.1177/0963721420922183 Annotation: This article outlines practical methods for instructional designers to reduce unproductive cognitive load. Strategies include segmenting complex tasks, using worked examples, and tailoring instruction to learners’ expertise levels. It emphasizes substituting productive load for unproductive load to optimize learning.
📚 Cognitive Load Theory, Educational Research, and Instructional Design: Some Food for Thought
de Jong, T. (2010). Instructional Science, 38(2), 105–134. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11251-009-9110-0 Annotation: A critical review of CLT’s application in educational settings. It discusses how instructional systems can be designed to optimize working memory capacity, offering suggestions like minimizing split attention and integrating visual and verbal information.
🔄 Cognitive Load in Multitasking Scenarios: A Qualitative Study Overview
Liu, L., Liu, Z., & Li, S. (2024). Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, 4(7), 393–405. https://doi.org/10.26855/jhass.2024.07.028 Annotation: This qualitative study explores how multitasking amplifies cognitive load and identifies strategies such as technological supports, task prioritization, and emotional regulation to mitigate overload in high-demand environments.
🗣️ Cognitive Load Theory Explained for Presentations
Schwertly, S. (2021, February 9). Cognitive load theory explained for presentations. Ethos3 Presentation Agency. https://ethos3.com/cognitive-load-theory-explained-for-presentations/ Annotation: This article translates CLT into practical advice for public speakers. It explains how to manage intrinsic, extraneous, and germane load when designing sermon slides or speech outlines. Tips include simplifying visuals, chunking information, and using storytelling to reduce overload.
🎤 Managing Cognitive Load Through Effective Presentations
Centre for Education Statistics and Evaluation. (2019). Managing cognitive load through effective presentations. NSW Government. https://education.nsw.gov.au/about-us/education-data-and-research/cese/publications/practical-guides-for-educators/managing-cognitive-load-through-effective-presentations Annotation: Though focused on classroom instruction, this guide offers transferable strategies for sermon and speech delivery. It recommends presenting essential information visually and verbally, minimizing distractions, and tailoring content to audience familiarity—key principles for preachers and public speakers.
🧠Memory and the Effective Speaker, Teacher, and Preacher
Stone, C. (2021, August 30). Memory and the effective speaker, teacher, and preacher. CharlesStone.com. https://charlesstone.com/memory-and-the-effective-speaker-teacher-and-preacher/ Annotation: This blog post integrates CLT with neuroscience and memory research to help communicators—especially preachers—craft more memorable messages. It highlights Sweller’s contributions and suggests using dual coding and schema-building to enhance sermon impact.
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