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A new paper challenging Cognitive Load Theory has just been published. I've been hoping to read a good criticism of CLT for some time but unfortunately this is not it. THREAD ⬇️ 🧵

The paper basically argues that Cognitive Load theory (CLT) is an outdated framework, rooted in 1980s cognitive psychology, and needs to be replaced by a richer, more holistic view of the brain and learning. Fair enough, let's see what they have to say...

Anyway, the authors ultimately advocate for a "new" approach to understanding learning, grounded in modern neuroscience and philosophy (ok again, this sounds interesting)

The main claims are that: 1. Learning is emergent, self-organizing, and not strictly linear. 2. The brain actively predicts and processes information, rather than reacting passively. 3. Emotional salience and attention play a key role in memory formation and learning.

So I think the 3rd point is sort of fair and worth exploring but the first two are not ones contradicted by Sweller, or at least not that I recognise.