Séminaire de Matisse Poupard

Designing Optimal Difficulty in Immersive Learning Environments: Cognitive Load and Curiosity in XR

Date : 09/04/2026
Heure : 16h15
Lieu : CERIUM2 (Laval) et visio
Intervenant : Matisse Poupard

Abstract: My research investigates how immersive technologies (VR, AR, MR) reshape the cognitive and motivational dynamics of learning. Drawing on Cognitive Load Theory and motivational frameworks, I examine how task difficulty and perceived complexity influence curiosity, intrinsic motivation, agency, and learning performance. Through experimental studies in XR-based anatomical learning tasks, I show that immersive support can reduce extraneous cognitive load while modulating exploration and engagement in non-linear ways. I will discuss how these findings can inform the adaptive design of digital learning environments and the calibration of difficulty in technology-enhanced education.

Bio: Matisse Poupard is a cognitive scientist specializing in immersive learning environments. He recently completed his PhD in Cognitive Science at the University of Bordeaux, where he investigated how extended reality (XR) environments influence cognitive load, intrinsic motivation, curiosity, and learning performance. He is currently an ATER at INRIA Bordeaux (Flowers AI & CogSci Lab), working at the intersection of cognitive psychology, learning sciences, and educational technologies. His research aims to better understand how difficulty, agency, and uncertainty shape learning dynamics in technology-enhanced contexts.