The effects of part-task sequencing and the level of element interactivity on schema automation and cognitive load

Abstract

This study is to reveal the most effective part-task sequencing according to the level of element interactivity, and to find the appropriate part-task sequencing best suit for human cognitive structure. A two-way ANOVA with schema automation and cognitive load as dependent variables, and the kind of part-task sequencing and the level of element interactivity as independent variables was conducted. The study results show that progressive chaining and snowballing chaining outperformed forward chaining with regard to schema automation. However, there was no significant difference between progressive chaining and snowballing chaining. Regarding cognitive load, higher intrinsic cognitive load was occurred when the element interactivity is high compared to low element interactivity, regardless of the kind of part-task sequencing. The lowest level of extraneous cognitive load and the highest level of germane cognitive load were imposed when using progressive chaining.