Cognitive load management: Learning abstract and complex scientific concepts using visual metaphors and metonymies

Hindriana, Anna Fitri; Turki, Harith Ismael; Prihatin, Yoga; Setiawati, Ina; Abidin, Zaenal; Pratami, Alin Rizki

doi:10.21831/cp.v45i1.83196

Open access Journal SINTA 1

Cognitive load management: Learning abstract and complex scientific concepts using visual metaphors and metonymies

Cakrawala Pendidikan · Vol. 45 No. 1 (2026)

DOI: 10.21831/cp.v45i1.83196
ISSN: 2442-8620, 0216-1370
Published: 2026-01-30
Publisher: LPMPP Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta
Language: eng
License: creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0

Abstract

This study applies the principles of metaphors and metonymies in visual learning media to manage students’ cognitive load and enhance their comprehension of complex scientific concepts, specifically cell biology, in lower secondary education. Using the ADDIE (analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation) model, a 2D animated audio-visual learning media was developed and evaluated. The research explored the impact of the developed learning media on intrinsic, extraneous, and germane cognitive loads using questionnaires and pre-/post-tests with 303 participants (science teachers and lower secondary students) from five districts in West Java, Indonesia. Expert evaluations from linguistics, media, and science education specialists were also incorporated. The results indicate that the developed visual media is effective in facilitating information processing and meaning-making, leading to improved comprehension and retention of complex cell biology concepts. The use of metaphors and metonymies helped students connect abstract scientific concepts to familiar contexts, reducing extraneous cognitive load and promoting deeper understanding and concept retention. Overall, the findings suggest that visual media employing metaphors and metonymies can be a valuable tool for teaching highly abstract and complex scientific concepts.

Keywords

Collaboration network of the authors

13 authors · 31 co-authorship links

Hover or tap a name to highlight its co-authors. Double-click to open the author's page.

Affiliation unknown

Different organisations
Same organisation
Affiliation unknown
Thicker line = more joint articles · bigger circle = more articles

Show as table

Co-author	Organisation	Joint articles
Dwi Rukmini	Affiliation unknown	1
Ahmad Sofwan	Affiliation unknown	1
Mursid Saleh	Affiliation unknown	1
Handayani	Affiliation unknown	1
Ilah Nurlaelah	Affiliation unknown	1
Lilis Lismaya	Affiliation unknown	1
Rahma Widiantie	Affiliation unknown	1

Affiliations come from OpenAlex; journal OAI-PMH metadata carries none. Authors without an OpenAlex ID are matched by name, which can merge or split people.

Metadata source: OAI-PMH (metadata jurnal) https://journal.uny.ac.id/index.php/cp/oai, first harvested 8 Nov 2026, last seen 8 Nov 2026.

Original metadata (oai_dc)

<oai_dc:dc xmlns="http://www.openarchives.org/OAI/2.0/" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:oai_dc="http://www.openarchives.org/OAI/2.0/oai_dc/" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xsi:schemaLocation="http://www.openarchives.org/OAI/2.0/oai_dc/  http://www.openarchives.org/OAI/2.0/oai_dc.xsd">
	<dc:title xml:lang="en-US">Cognitive load management: Learning abstract and complex scientific concepts using visual metaphors and metonymies</dc:title>
	<dc:creator>Hindriana, Anna Fitri</dc:creator>
	<dc:creator>Turki, Harith Ismael</dc:creator>
	<dc:creator>Prihatin, Yoga</dc:creator>
	<dc:creator>Setiawati, Ina</dc:creator>
	<dc:creator>Abidin, Zaenal</dc:creator>
	<dc:creator>Pratami, Alin Rizki</dc:creator>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en-US">Metaphors</dc:subject>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en-US">metonymies</dc:subject>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en-US">visual media</dc:subject>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en-US">cognitive load</dc:subject>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en-US">abstract concepts</dc:subject>
	<dc:description xml:lang="en-US">This study applies the principles of metaphors and metonymies in visual learning media to manage students’ cognitive load and enhance their comprehension of complex scientific concepts, specifically cell biology, in lower secondary education. Using the ADDIE (analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation) model, a 2D animated audio-visual learning media was developed and evaluated. The research explored the impact of the developed learning media on intrinsic, extraneous, and germane cognitive loads using questionnaires and pre-/post-tests with 303 participants (science teachers and lower secondary students) from five districts in West Java, Indonesia. Expert evaluations from linguistics, media, and science education specialists were also incorporated. The results indicate that the developed visual media is effective in facilitating information processing and meaning-making, leading to improved comprehension and retention of complex cell biology concepts. The use of metaphors and metonymies helped students connect abstract scientific concepts to familiar contexts, reducing extraneous cognitive load and promoting deeper understanding and concept retention. Overall, the findings suggest that visual media employing metaphors and metonymies can be a valuable tool for teaching highly abstract and complex scientific concepts.</dc:description>
	<dc:publisher xml:lang="en-US">LPMPP Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta</dc:publisher>
	<dc:date>2026-01-30</dc:date>
	<dc:type>info:eu-repo/semantics/article</dc:type>
	<dc:type>info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion</dc:type>
	<dc:format>application/pdf</dc:format>
	<dc:identifier>https://journal.uny.ac.id/index.php/cp/article/view/83196</dc:identifier>
	<dc:identifier>10.21831/cp.v45i1.83196</dc:identifier>
	<dc:source xml:lang="en-US">Jurnal Cakrawala Pendidikan; Vol. 45 No. 1 (2026): Cakrawala Pendidikan (February 2026)</dc:source>
	<dc:source>2442-8620</dc:source>
	<dc:source>0216-1370</dc:source>
	<dc:source>10.21831/cp.v45i1</dc:source>
	<dc:language>eng</dc:language>
	<dc:relation>https://journal.uny.ac.id/index.php/cp/article/view/83196/25097</dc:relation>
	<dc:rights xml:lang="en-US">Copyright (c) 2026 Anna Fitri Hindriana, Harith Harith, Yoga Prihatin, Ina Setiawati, Zaenal Abidin, Alin Rizki Pratami</dc:rights>
	<dc:rights xml:lang="en-US">http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0</dc:rights>
</oai_dc:dc>