Element interactivity can be estimated by counting interacting elements, illustrated with about 28 elements for solving a/b = c and about 25 for a composite geometry area problem¶

Claim · All claims
Evidence · 1 study (2 entries) · theoretical r3 · q2
Currency · newest study 2023 · not yet checked against its sources · not reviewed by a person · recheck by 2026: tool and model accuracy changes quickly

Subclaims¶

q2 i? A worked a priori analysis counts the interacting elements a novice must process, e.g. 28 elements for solving a/b = c, versus an element interactivity count of 1 for an expert who holds the solution in long-term memory. → Ouhao Chen · Fred Paas · John Sweller 2023 q2 i? For a composite shape area problem, the analysis yields about 25 interactive elements, while memorising formulae is low in element interactivity. → Ouhao Chen · Fred Paas · John Sweller 2023 (2)

Evidence¶

Ouhao Chen · Fred Paas · John Sweller 2023¶

Ouhao Chen · Fred Paas · John Sweller. (2023). A Cognitive Load Theory Approach to Defining and Measuring Task Complexity Through Element Interactivity. Educational Psychology Review. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10648-023-09782-w

q2 · i? · theoretical · r3

A priori analysis technique demonstrated in the review using the a/b = c example from Sweller and Chandler (1994): for an expert the equation "impose an element interactivity count of only 1" because the solution is retrieved as a single entity.

"These 28 elements all interact. To understand this solution, at some point they all must be processed simultaneously in working memory."

Ouhao Chen · Fred Paas · John Sweller 2023 (2)¶

Ouhao Chen · Fred Paas · John Sweller. (2023). A Cognitive Load Theory Approach to Defining and Measuring Task Complexity Through Element Interactivity. Educational Psychology Review. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10648-023-09782-w

q2 · i? · theoretical · r3

The review describes Chen et al.'s (2015) geometry materials (Fig. 1): calculating the area of a composite shape involved "about 25 interactive elements", whereas memorising the parallelogram area formula involved 4 interacting elements for a novice.

"Finally, the two separate area values added together involved another 3 elements giving, in total, about 25 interactive elements."

Discussion¶

Related Claims¶

• The worked example effect is explained by reduced element interactivity relative to problem solving, and reverses with expertise — a broader claim this one bears on
• Task complexity and task difficulty are distinct concepts — related