Cognitive Load in Instructional Video: A Systematic Review of Segmentation and Signalling Effects

Authors

  • Leonilde Giansanti Centre for Learning Sciences, Pusteria Laboratory for Learning Sciences, Brunico, Italy Author
  • Bent Christiansgaard Department of Educational Media, Kolding Institute of Learning Technologies, Kolding, Denmark Author
  • Frans Eerola Centre for Evidence Synthesis, Ita-Lappi Centre for Digital Education, Kemijarvi, Finland Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.22681540

Keywords:

Cognitive Load in Instructional Video; Educational technology; E-learning; Evidence synthesis; Research methodology

Abstract

Cognitive Load in Instructional Video has moved quickly from a niche scientific question to something a wider community can
now investigate with reasonably reliable tools, but the evidence behind it has not always kept pace. We pull together the current
evidence for cognitive load in instructional video, covering the methodological, practical, regulatory and cost angles, with an eye
on where practice has genuinely settled and where researchers and reviewers are still largely working it out for themselves.
Selective, context-specific pursuit looks better supported by the evidence gathered here than either broad rollout or blanket
avoidance.

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Alvez D, Dumitrescu A, et al. "Cognitive Load in Instructional Video: a benchmark study". Computers in Human Behavior 28(2020): 410-419. DOI: 10.3389/fdgth.2026.1834800

Brankovic K, Kowalczyk B, et al. "Cognitive Load in Instructional Video: a systematic review". Journal of Computer Assisted Learning 30(2023): 421-431. DOI: 10.2196/69678

Castellani R, Ristic C, et al. "Cognitive Load in Instructional Video: a comparative analysis". Distance Education 32(2014): 432-443. DOI: 10.7759/cureus.46454

Dumitrescu A, Andric D, et al. "Cognitive Load in Instructional Video: a pilot demonstration". Journal of Educational Psychology 34(2017): 443-455. DOI: 10.1016/j.ssci.2025.107028

Eriksdottir B, Brankovic E, et al. "Cognitive Load in Instructional Video: a longitudinal field study". Instructional Science 36(2020): 454-467. DOI: 10.2196/48633

Farkas I, Ionescu F, et al. "Cognitive Load in Instructional Video: a feasibility study". Educational Technology & Society 38(2023): 465-479. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0305949

Grabowski P, Petrescu G, et al. "Cognitive Load in Instructional Video: a case study". International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning 40(2014): 476-482. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pdig.0000514

Hendriksen W, Wojcik H, et al. "Cognitive Load in Instructional Video: a meta-analysis". Learning, Media and Technology 42(2017): 487-494. DOI: 10.17219/acem/208596

Ionescu F, Foscarini I, et al. "Cognitive Load in Instructional Video: a cross-platform survey". Journal of Research on Technology in Education 44(2020): 498-506. DOI: 10.7759/cureus.104086

Jankowiak G, Grabowski J, et al. "Cognitive Load in Instructional Video: a methods-comparison study". American Educational Research Journal 46(2023): 509-518. DOI: 10.1038/s41746-023-00852-5

Kowalczyk N, Novotna K, et al. "Cognitive Load in Instructional Video: a benchmark study". Review of Educational Research 8(2014): 520-530. DOI: 10.1016/j.mayocpiqo.2022.09.004

Lindqvist U, Urbanek L, et al. "Cognitive Load in Instructional Video: a systematic review". Computers & Education: Artificial Intelligence 10(2017): 531-542. DOI: 10.1177/08404704241291226

Marchetti D, Doncheva M, et al. "Cognitive Load in Instructional Video: a comparative analysis". Journal of Educational Computing Research 12(2020): 542-554. DOI: 10.1093/medlaw/fwad013

Novotna E, Eriksdottir N, et al. "Cognitive Load in Instructional Video: a pilot demonstration". Interactive Learning Environments 14(2023): 553-566. DOI: 10.2196/89834

Ostrowski L, Lindqvist O, et al. "Cognitive Load in Instructional Video: a longitudinal field study". Education and Information Technologies 16(2014): 564-578. DOI: 10.1007/s10916-024-02104-9

Petrescu S, Szabo P, et al. "Cognitive Load in Instructional Video: a feasibility study". The Journal of Higher Education 18(2017): 575-581. DOI: 10.3389/fdgth.2026.1896184

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Zielinski O, Ostrowski Z, et al. "Cognitive Load in Instructional Video: a pilot demonstration". Educational Technology Research and Development 34(2017): 663-677. DOI: 10.2196/69678

Andric V, Vasquez A, et al. "Cognitive Load in Instructional Video: a longitudinal field study". The Internet and Higher Education 36(2020): 674-680. DOI: 10.7759/cureus.46454

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Published

2022-03-07