What does an increase in cognitive load typically result in during learning tasks?

An increase in cognitive load typically leads to overwhelm and a diminished capacity to process information effectively during learning tasks. Cognitive load refers to the amount of mental effort being used in the working memory. When cognitive load becomes too high, it can impede the ability to learn and retain new information, as individuals may struggle to organize thoughts, understand complex concepts, or apply learned knowledge to new situations. This overload can create distractions or confusion, making it challenging to focus on the task at hand and resulting in significantly less effective learning. Therefore, understanding and managing cognitive load is critical in educational settings to optimize learning outcomes.