intrinsic load

Intrinsic load refers to the mental effort required to understand and process the core content of a task or subject, based on its inherent complexity. It depends on how difficult the material is and the learner’s prior knowledge. For example, learning basic addition has low intrinsic load, while understanding calculus has high intrinsic load. Managing intrinsic load involves structuring learning in a way that aligns with the learner’s current skill level, helping them process information effectively without becoming overwhelmed. It’s about balancing the natural difficulty of the subject to optimize learning.