‘The load of diversity’: Cognitive load of lessons on biodiversity and classification in the biology textbooks of five different states of India

Teaching and learning biodiversity and classification is highly dependent upon visual information and Graphical Representations (GRs) are an essential component of the study materials discussing these topics. However, GRs are double-edged swords; if used appropriately it reduces the mental effort experienced while learning (cognitive load). Meanwhile, the illustrations loosely connected with the text or complex in its visual properties can hinder the learning significantly. The present study compared the usage of GRs in the lesson on biodiversity and classification given in the IXth standard biology textbooks followed by five different states in India namely Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Mizoram, Rajasthan, and Telangana and its contribution to the cognitive load. Our result revealed that though these textbooks followed similar contents the properties of the GRs used were noticeably dissimilar. Divergence was also noticed in the way in which the GRs were integrated with the textual information (conceptual integration) and the degree of interaction between such conceptually integrated groups. Influence of such dissimilarity in frequency, form, function, and physical and conceptual integration of GRs on various dimensions of the mental effort required for the comprehension of these vital concepts in environmental science is discussed under the light of the cognitive load theory.