A cybernetic method to deal with cognitive load in u-learning environments: Conceptual proposal

This research focuses on u-learning environments settings where learners are immersed and inherently face a variety of simultaneous stimuli coming from diverse sources such as: professor, classmates, equipment, digital and physical learning objects, as well as ubiquitous devices and physical environment. When the learners are situated in such environments, they could be overwhelmed by the diversity of stimuli resulting in an increment of their cognitive load. It is thought that if the mental activity of the individuals is saturated, their cognitive performance could be reduced and their learning achievements might be compromised. The present research aims at counteracting the negative influence of cognitive load in the individual's learning. Hence, a cybernetic method to deal with cognitive load in u-learning environments (CMCLU-LE) is proposed. Such a method fosters learners to self-regulate their learning process by means of metacognitive strategies which help them to regulate the effect of cognitive load and stimulate the acquisition of knowledge.