This breakout was all about Human Cognitive Architecture and Cognitive Load Theory. It helped draw together bits and pieces that I've learned about these topics in the past. Her description of working memory in HCA was confused but the big idea that came out was that the aim of learning is to create schema. Kids can learn something and retain it well enough to sit a test months later but unless it is processed into a schema it will be gone by the next year. To help this happen get the kids to process rather than regurgitate or simply use their learning.
The CLT part was a good refresher but little new info. The big idea was to keep it simple when designing instructional material. People only have so much 'space' in their heads to process things. This gets divided between the intrinsic (what you want them to learn), extraneous (how it is presented and what you want them to produce) and Germane (interest and involvement). Make the presentation simple and familiar and the student has space to think about content with room left over to get enthusiastic about it.
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