Cognitive load refers to the amount of mental effort being used in the working memory. It is influenced by the complexity of the information being processed and the individual's prior knowledge. When cognitive load is too high, it can hinder learning and problem-solving abilities, making it difficult to retain new information. There are three types of cognitive load: intrinsic, extraneous, and germane. Intrinsic cognitive load is related to the inherent difficulty of the material, extraneous cognitive load comes from how the information is presented, and germane cognitive load involves the effort to understand and integrate new knowledge. Balancing these loads is essential for effective learning.