Learning Portfolio 3
Q2)
“Chunking”
As human beings we only have a certain amount of memory space to store and recollect information. There are certain techniques of graphical and visual design that can aid in the process of learning and help us to remember what is most important. By reducing this cognitive load, we become more productive with a higher possibility of creating better outcomes. The term ‘chunking’ refers to organising large amounts of information into much smaller parts making it a lot easier to learn and memorize vital sections . This is possible based on Gestalt’s Law of Proximity (people tend to perceive as a unit those things that are close together in space [Ormrod, 1999]) and Similarity (people tend to perceive as a unit those things that are similar to one another [Ormrod, 1999]). The technique of chunking seeks to accomodate short-term memory limits by formatting information into a small number of units. It is known that the maximum number of chunks that can be efficiently processed by short-term memory is four, plus or minus one (Lidwell, Holden & Butler [n.d])Universal Principles of Design).
An example this may be when we make a list of things to take with us on a holiday or trip somewhere. Quite often we may subconsciously group certain items under headings to make it easier for us to remember those objects. The same goes for numbers which we may chunk into groups in order to memorize these digits. Our mobile phone number are grouped in 3 different parts, usually as such; 0424 168 482, rather than 0424168482. Information should be chunked when people are required to recall and retain information, or when information is used for problem solving. By chunking information we can also create a hierarchy of the most important elements down to the least, something which is vital in graphic design.
END TEXT REFERNCES
Instructional Design Electronic Workbook: Theories; Cognitive Load Theory Implications; [n.d], retrieved on 25/10/09 from url;
http://usaoll.org/iddtheorywb/htmlcognitiveload/implications.htm
Lidwell, W., Holden, K., Butler, J., (2003) Universal Principles of Design, (pp.21) USA: Rockport
