Google Maps on the iPhone has a low cognitive load for users. It has a simple, well-organized interface accessible from one main screen, allowing users to search for locations, get directions, view traffic and other features without leaving the map. Standard icons and features mean users can easily remember and access navigation tools with minimal effort. The app also avoids extraneous cognitive load by solving problems simply and allowing bookmarking to reduce memory usage.

1. on the iPhone!
&!
Cognitive Load
Larissa majlessi

2. The Basics
• Standard map on the iPhone
• Operates by touch screen and typing
• Has an easy to navigate and well-organized
interface which allows IPhone users to find
and use numerous features from one main
frame, incorporating GPS technology

3. Basic Features
• Navigation
• Directions
• Places
• Latitude
• Traffic
• Offline reliability
• 3D maps

4. Search & GPS
Users can search for a
location by address, name
or 3-digit airport code using
the standard keyboard or by
finding a pre-stored address
from bookmarks or
contacts. The user can also
pinpoint his or her location
from the main page in
seconds and use the
moving point to navigate her
movement in real time.

5. Compass
There is a standard
compass indicating
the iPhone’s direction,
which is always
viewable on the top
iPhone frame. Users
never have to leave
the map to orient
themselves to their
direction.

6. Directions
The directions option
on the main frame gives
step by step
instructions via car,
public transportation or
walking to any point
from any point,
including addresses or
the current location
determined by GPS.
Image icons and text
make these options
simple to locate.

7. Directions
The user can drop a pin in
two clicks to indicate a
location of interest and
share with others via email
or SMS. Users can also
check real time traffic in
order to select the most
optimal route, via the corner
icon on the main frame. This
icon is the only extra menu
outside of the main map,
leaving users with little ability
to get lost looking for
features within the
application.

8. Satellite View
Users are not
limited to the basic
map view. A satellite
view, a hybrid view
and a list view are all
accessible in two
clicks to suit the
users’ needs,
without losing their
place on the map.

9. More Details
Clicking on the prominent
“more details” arrow that
appears next to a map’s
address result gives users
the option to call the
location, visit their web site,
get directions, add to
contacts, share location or
add to bookmarks with just
one touch of the screen.
Or they can return to the
previous screen with one
touch of a standardly
located “back” button.

10. Street View
Users can also see an
actual location via Street
View with the click of the
street view icon on the
touch screen. A single
touch of the street view
gives the option for the
user to return to the map
in one more click. Note
that Street View is
available after the
address has already
been retrieved and not
from the main frame.

11. Zoom In and Out
Zooming into a
location is simple by
either a single-finger
double tap of the
screen or by using
standard touch
screen zoom pinch
with two fingers.
Zoom out with a two-
finger double tap of
the screen or
standard pinching
outwardly.

12. Cognitive Load in Google Maps
Cognitive Load provides a framework for instructional
designers to ensure that a learning environment is
advantageously designed with the end result of
optimal learning within the constructs of the working
memory and the long-term memory. This is
accomplished by decreasing extraneous cognitive
load during learning, and refocusing the learner's
attention toward germane resources, increasing
automated schemas.
Source: Paas, Renkl, Sweller (2010)

13. Cognitive Load in Google Maps
Google Maps has a low Intrinsic cognitive load, with
a low level of difficulty. The one main frame of the
app allows users to search and use features without
ever leaving their map and main functions.
Google Maps also does not create extraneous
cognitive load. There are no difficult problems to
solve that fill up the user’s working memory. And
should there be numerous locations to remember,
easy bookmarking features allow the application to
save the locations without the user needing to fill up
his working memory.

14. Summary
In Summary, the iPhone’s standard Google Map
application is incredibly efficient with an easy-to-
navigate user interface design.
Standard design features and universal icons allow
the user to quickly remember Google Maps’ features
with limited repetition.
With just one main frame with almost all features
available from this frame, navigating via mobile
couldn’t get easier.