Assessing Student Course Evaluation Comments Using Cognitive Load Theory: Insights for Best Teaching Practices

Objectives: Cognitive Load Theory (CLT) is an essential framework in educational psychology that examines how the human memory system affects learning and retention. The CLT is especially relevant in healthcare education, where learners concurrently process various knowledge, skills, and behaviors, often leading to information overload. This study applies Cognitive Load Theory to analyze student course evaluation comments, aiming to identify instructional practices that reduce cognitive strain and enhance learning, and inform effective teaching strategies.