Cana Fuest, PhD Candidate

In today’s teaching environment, where educators are expected to manage a wide range of tasks, AI is proving to be more than just a way to save time. It has the potential to significantly reduce cognitive load, allowing both teachers and students to focus on higher-order thinking and creativity. Cognitive load refers to the mental effort required to perform a task, and when it becomes too high, it can impede learning and problem-solving. AI helps distribute that load by taking over routine and repetitive tasks, making it easier to engage in more complex cognitive processes.

For me, using AI for tasks like grading, scheduling, or even drafting basic course materials allows for cognitive offloading. This means I spend less mental energy on administrative details and more on refining teaching strategies or developing new content. By handling these routine elements, AI frees up my working memory (the part of our cognition responsible for holding and manipulating information). As a result, I can focus on tasks that require critical thinking and creativity, without the constant distraction of smaller tasks.

Students, too, benefit from AI’s ability to enhance cognitive processes. AI tools that offer personalized feedback, track progress, or help clarify difficult concepts allow students to focus on understanding the material instead of getting lost in logistical or repetitive tasks. This kind of support also aids metacognition, helping students become more aware of their own learning patterns and strategies, which leads to better long-term outcomes.

In both cases, AI doesn’t just save time; it optimizes mental effort. By offloading tasks that don’t require deep thinking, it allows for more mental space to engage with complex ideas, solve problems, and think creatively. This kind of cognitive support can transform how we approach teaching and learning, making both more effective and engaging.