The Spatial Contiguity Principle

Theory

The spatial contiguity principle suggests that related information sources should be spatially integrated in order to reduce attention-splitting and facilitate learning.

Practice

Spatial contiguity principle. Image borrowed from: http://eet.sdsu.edu/eetwiki... Click on the picture to follow the link. An example of a solved mathematical problem taking into consideration and ignoring the spatial contiguity principle is presented in image on the right (Example A and Example B respectively).

Research status

Experiments have confirmed importance of this principle1) Chandler, P. and Sweller, J. Cognitive load theory and the format of instruction. Cognition and Instruction, 8(4), 293-332. 1991.