Less is More: Reducing Cognitive Load Through Curriculum Design with Alicia Savage

In this workshop, Alicia Savage draws on cognitive load theory, schema-building and clarity frameworks to show how less can truly be more in curriculum design. Participants will explore practical strategies to streamline lessons and units, reduce teacher workload and student overwhelm and create sustainable curriculum structures grounded in research. Expect real examples, interactive discussion and take-away tools that help shift curriculum from aspirational to actionable.

Alicia Savage is an experienced educator, coach and curriculum leader with over 12 years in Australian schools and 5 explicit years in curriculum leadership and design. As the founder of Alicia Savage Consulting, she works alongside schools, leaders and organisations to design connected curriculum and build collective efficacy. Alicia blends research with real-world application, drawing on the work of Sweller, Hattie and Sharratt to make curriculum both clear and practical. She specialises in reducing cognitive load, aligning pedagogy with strategy and helping teachers and leaders find joy and sustainability curriculum design.