Cognitive load theory uses knowledge of human cognitive architecture to generate instructional [Page 141]procedures. In turn, the structure of human cognitive architecture is based on biological, evolutionary principles. This entry discusses how the principles of natural information processing systems apply to biological evolution and human cognition and what techniques can be used to reduce working memory load and facilitate the transfer of information to long-term memory.

The categorization of knowledge is an important facet of human cognitive architecture. David Geary distinguishes between biologically primary and secondary knowledge. We have evolved to acquire various modules of biologically primary knowledge automatically and without conscious effort or explicit tuition over countless generations. Examples are learning to listen to and speak a first language, recognizing faces, and learning to use ...