In what context is increased cognitive load mentioned?

Increased cognitive load refers to the amount of mental effort being used in the working memory. When cognitive load is high, it can overwhelm a learner’s capacity to process information effectively. In the context of writing, students are often required to manage several tasks simultaneously, such as remembering letter shapes, phonetic sounds, and the mechanics of writing. This can lead to writing reversals, where letters are written in the wrong orientation, or similar errors, especially in early writers still developing their skills.

When cognitive load is too high, students may struggle to coordinate their motor skills with their cognitive processes, leading to mistakes like reversals. This is particularly relevant in the context of young learners or those with learning difficulties, where the demands of writing can exceed their current ability to manage the complexities of language production. Thus, the relationship between increased cognitive load and writing reversals highlights the challenges learners face when their cognitive resources are stretched, affecting their writing performance.