Teaching is one of the most important activities associated with the continuity of civilisation. An enormous amount of research relevant to teachers is produced each year, with the vast bulk of it appearing in research journals intended for a researcher rather than practitioner readership. Translating those technical research findings into a form that is accessible to teachers is a rare skill. It is a skill that Steve Garnett has in copious abundance, and in Cognitive Load Theory: A Handbook for Teachers he provides a brilliant exposition of instructional design principles. The book has a consistent clarity of purpose and coherence that justifies a prominent place on every teacher’s bookshelf. I recommend it in the strongest possible terms.
John Sweller, Emeritus Professor of Educational Psychology, School of Education, University of New South Wales