Factors Affecting Learning
The speed and quality of learning depends on several factors — the learner, the teacher, the method and the environment. REET asks questions on this topic about learner-related personal factors and concepts like cognitive load.
- 2 questions in REET 2024
- Teacher-training level
- 6 min read
How REET asks this topic
REET 2024 had 2 questions on this topic — one on the meaning of a learner's 'basic ability', the other on the cause of cognitive load. So along with the traditional list, new learning-related concepts (cognitive load theory) are now also being asked in REET.
Key factors affecting learning
- Learner-related factors
- Intelligence, inherent ability and skill, motivation, readiness, physical-mental health, prior knowledge
- Teacher-related factors
- The teacher's knowledge, personality, teaching skill and relationship with students
- Method-related factors
- Teaching method, teaching aids, presentation of the curriculum
- Environment-related factors
- The physical and social environment of school and home, class size
The detailed role of each factor
Among learner-related factors, intelligence is the most basic, but intelligence alone is not enough — motivation, self-confidence, the ability to focus, and prior knowledge are equally important. Physical health (such as sleep, nutrition) also directly affects concentration and memory.
Among teacher-related factors, the teacher's subject knowledge matters as much as their positive behaviour towards students, patience and ability to encourage — a strict or indifferent teacher can reduce children's desire to learn.
Among method-related factors, what matters is how the content is presented — is it sequential, illustrated with examples, and interesting? Environment-related factors include the noise level in the classroom, seating arrangement, lighting, and having a quiet place to study at home.
Cognitive Load Theory
According to Sweller's Cognitive Load Theory, our working memory has limited capacity, so the 'load' faced during learning is of three types.
Intrinsic load — from the natural complexity of the content; extraneous load — from poor presentation of teaching material, distracting elements, and inadequate background knowledge; germane load — the load that helps in learning permanently by connecting new information to old knowledge.
A teacher's goal should be to reduce extraneous load, so the student's working memory can stay focused on useful learning.
The three types of cognitive load
| Type | Cause | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Intrinsic load | The basic complexity of the content | Solving a quadratic equation is naturally a difficult topic |
| Extraneous load | Poor presentation, inadequate background knowledge, distraction | A very cluttered slide or a noisy classroom |
| Germane load | The effort of connecting new knowledge to old schema | Understanding a new formula by connecting it to a previously learnt example |
REET 2024 asked what the main cause of extra cognitive load is — the answer was inadequate background knowledge and poor teaching strategy.
The role of schema and working memory
A schema is the mental structure in which we organise previously learnt information. When new information connects to an existing schema, the load on working memory decreases, because the brain can handle it as one larger 'unit' rather than as separate pieces.
This is why reminding students of related prior knowledge before teaching a new chapter (activating prior knowledge) is considered so effective — it provides a ready schema to attach new information to, making learning easier.
The role of motivation and readiness
Readiness means the child being physically, mentally and emotionally prepared to learn a new concept — without readiness, learning is difficult and short-lived.
Motivation, whether intrinsic (such as curiosity) or extrinsic (such as reward), affects both the speed and permanence of learning.
Research shows intrinsic motivation is more effective for long-term, deep learning, because the child finds the act of learning meaningful and interesting in itself, not something done only for a reward. So, instead of relying only on external rewards (like stars or marks), teachers should also try to spark a natural curiosity about the subject.
Using this in the classroom
| Factor | Teacher's strategy |
|---|---|
| Lack of prior knowledge (extraneous load) | Doing a brief recap of previous knowledge before starting a new lesson |
| Distraction (extraneous load) | Using simple, clear, step-by-step teaching material |
| Lack of motivation | Giving small experiences of success and praising them |
| Lack of readiness | Not teaching a very difficult topic directly; first clarifying the basic concept |
The learning curve and the importance of practice
When learning any new skill, progress is fast at first, then a plateau comes where improvement looks slow, and with proper practice and feedback, progress resumes — this is called the learning curve. The teacher should keep the student from getting discouraged during the plateau stage.
Distributed/spaced practice, i.e. repeating in short intervals, has been found more effective than a large amount of practice done at once (massed practice), because it establishes information more firmly in long-term memory.
It's also worth remembering that no two students respond to the same lesson in exactly the same way — differences in intelligence, pace, interest and background knowledge mean a single teaching method rarely works equally well for everyone in a class. This is why REET's pedagogy questions often favour differentiated strategies (varied examples, flexible pacing, multiple ways to demonstrate understanding) over a single, one-size-fits-all approach, and why a teacher aware of these differences plans lessons with some built-in flexibility for both quick learners and those who need more time.
Memory trick
Remember the three types of load — 'intrinsic' is in the subject itself (can't be removed), 'extraneous' grows because of the teacher's mistakes (can be reduced), 'germane' load is good (should be increased) — meaning the teacher's job is to reduce extraneous load and increase germane load.
REET 2024 questions (solved)
Question 11
What does the “basic potential and capability” of the learner include ?
- Aविषय पर पूर्ण अधिकार
- Bतत्परता और इच्छाशक्ति
- Cशिक्षार्थी की अंतर्निहित क्षमताएँ और कौशल
- Dशिक्षक के साथ समायोजन
Explanation
अधिगमकर्ता की मूलभूत क्षमता और योग्यता से आशय उसकी जन्मजात/अंतर्निहित क्षमताओं और कौशलों से है, जो अधिगम को प्रभावित करने वाला एक प्रमुख व्यक्तिगत कारक है। तत्परता और इच्छाशक्ति अभिप्रेरणा से जुड़े कारक हैं, जबकि विषय पर अधिकार और शिक्षक से समायोजन क्षमता का अर्थ नहीं हैं।
Question 5Multiple answers accepted
What is the main cause of extraneous cognitive load ?
- Aअपर्याप्त पृष्ठभूमि ज्ञान
- Bखराब रणनीतियाँ और विचलन
- Cकार्य की आंतरिक जटिलता
- Dउदाहरणों की अधिक मात्रा
Explanation
संज्ञानात्मक भार सिद्धान्त (Cognitive Load Theory, स्वेलर) में अतिरिक्त (extraneous) भार वह है जो सामग्री की प्रस्तुति या अनुदेशन के खराब तरीके और ध्यान भटकाने वाली बातों से पैदा होता है, इसलिए (B) सही है। शिक्षार्थी का पूर्व ज्ञान यह तय करता है कि किसी कार्य से उस पर कितना मानसिक भार पड़ेगा; BSER की अंतिम कुंजी ने अपर्याप्त पृष्ठभूमि ज्ञान (A) को भी स्वीकार किया है। कार्य की आंतरिक जटिलता (C) आंतरिक (intrinsic) भार से जुड़ी है।
Practice questions
Question 1
Which of these is a learner-related factor affecting learning?
- Aकक्षा का आकार
- Bबुद्धि व अभिप्रेरणा
- Cशिक्षण सहायक सामग्री
- Dविद्यालय भवन
Explanation
Intelligence, motivation, readiness and prior knowledge are learner-related factors, while class size and the building are environment-related factors.
Question 2
Who proposed Cognitive Load Theory?
- Aस्वेलर
- Bपियाजे
- Cगार्डनर
- Dचॉम्स्की
Explanation
John Sweller presented Cognitive Load Theory, which is based on the limited capacity of working memory.
Question 3
What is the load caused by the inherent difficulty of the content called?
- Aबाह्य/अतिरिक्त भार
- Bआंतरिक भार
- Cउपयोगी भार
- Dसामाजिक भार
Explanation
Intrinsic load is tied to the basic complexity of the content and cannot be fully removed just by changing the teaching presentation.
Question 4
What is the load caused by poor instructional design and distracting material called?
- Aआंतरिक भार
- Bबाह्य/अतिरिक्त भार
- Cउपयोगी भार
- Dशारीरिक भार
Explanation
Extraneous load arises from poor presentation of teaching material or distracting elements, and a teacher can reduce it.
Question 5
What is the effort of connecting new information with prior knowledge called?
- Aआंतरिक भार
- Bबाह्य भार
- Cउपयोगी भार
- Dनकारात्मक भार
Explanation
Germane load is the mental effort that connects new information to old schema and helps in permanent learning — it should be encouraged.
Question 6
What does 'readiness' mean?
- Aबच्चे का किसी नई अवधारणा को सीखने हेतु शारीरिक-मानसिक रूप से तैयार होना
- Bबच्चे की जन्मजात बुद्धि
- Cबच्चे का विद्यालय में उपस्थित होना
- Dशिक्षक की योग्यता
Explanation
Readiness means the child being physically, mentally and emotionally prepared to learn a new concept.
Question 7
A teacher briefly recaps the previous lesson before starting a new one. Which type of load does this reduce?
- Aआंतरिक भार
- Bबाह्य/अतिरिक्त भार
- Cउपयोगी भार
- Dशारीरिक भार
Explanation
Lack of prior knowledge increases extraneous load; doing a recap reduces this load so the student can focus better on new material.
Question 8
How does motivation affect learning?
- Aइसका अधिगम से कोई संबंध नहीं
- Bयह अधिगम की गति व स्थायित्व दोनों को प्रभावित करती है
- Cयह केवल परीक्षा के अंकों को प्रभावित करती है
- Dयह केवल शारीरिक विकास को प्रभावित करती है
Explanation
Both intrinsic and extrinsic motivation affect the speed, depth and permanence of learning, making it a major learner-related factor.
Question 9
A teacher does not teach a very complex concept directly but first clarifies simpler basics. Which factor is being considered?
- Aविद्यालय भवन
- Bविद्यार्थी की तत्परता
- Cशिक्षक का वेतन
- Dपाठ्यपुस्तक का आकार
Explanation
Clarifying the basic point before a complex concept is an appropriate teaching strategy adopted with the student's readiness in mind.
Question 10
According to Cognitive Load Theory, what should a teacher's main goal be?
- Aआंतरिक भार बढ़ाना
- Bबाह्य भार घटाना और उपयोगी भार बढ़ाना
- Cउपयोगी भार घटाना
- Dतीनों प्रकार के भार को समान रखना
Explanation
Since working memory is limited, the teacher should reduce unnecessary extraneous load so the student's capacity can stay focused on germane learning.
Frequently asked questions
What are the main factors affecting learning?+
There are mainly four categories — learner-related, teacher-related, method-related and environment-related factors.
What does Cognitive Load Theory say?+
This theory says our working memory is limited, so it's important to balance three types of load in teaching — intrinsic, extraneous and germane.
What is the main cause of extraneous cognitive load?+
Poor teaching presentation, distracting material and inadequate background knowledge are the main causes of extraneous load.
How do readiness and motivation affect learning?+
Readiness shows the child's preparedness to learn, and motivation increases the speed and permanence of learning — a lack of either makes learning difficult.
What is the difference between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation?+
In intrinsic motivation, the child wants to learn out of curiosity or interest, while in extrinsic motivation they learn to get a reward, praise, or to avoid punishment — intrinsic motivation generally produces more lasting learning.
Why is spaced practice better than doing it all at once?+
Practising repeatedly at short intervals establishes information more firmly in long-term memory, whereas doing a lot of practice all at once causes the learnt material to be forgotten quickly.
What is a schema and how does it help learning?+
A schema is the mental structure in which we organise previously learnt information; connecting new information to an existing schema reduces the load on working memory and makes learning easier.
What strategy should be used to solve REET questions on this topic?+
Read each option carefully to identify whether it belongs to the learner, teacher, method or environment category, and base cognitive-load questions on the principle of 'reduce extraneous load, increase germane load'.
Read next
Official Sources
Change Log
- 17 September 2026 — English pilot page published — mirrors the fact-checked Hindi page, independently bilingual-accuracy checked