The future of Working Memory BETT 2013 Alison Winter.

What is working memory?

What is Working Memory? The ability to keep information in your mind for a short period of time (seconds) and be able to use the information in your thinking A system for temporary storage and manipulation of information, necessary for wide range of cognitive tasks Working memory is the search engine of the mind

Working memory is key for academic performance Working memory refers to a brain system that provides temporary storage and manipulation of the information necessary for such complex cognitive tasks as language comprehension, learning and reasoning. (Baddeley, 1992) Associated with reading (Gathercole & Pickering, 2000) and mathematic (Geary et al., 2004) ability 10-15% of all students have working memory deficits (Alloway et al., 2009) Children with poor working memory make poor academic progress Of 300 children with poor working memory (Gathercole & Alloway, 2008): o 83% scored poorly on either reading or maths tests the vast majority of these scored poorly in both areas

The Development of Working Memory in ADHD Westerberg et al. (2004), Visuo-spatial working memory: a sensitive measurement of cognitive deficits in ADHD. Child Neuropsychology 10 (3)

Problems that Working Memory deficits can cause in the Classroom… Is easily distracted when doing something not highly interesting Has trouble waiting his/her turn Struggles with reading comprehension Struggles doing maths calculations in his/her head Struggles with getting started Struggles with completing a task Difficulties when planning and organising something with multiple steps Often seems restless and on the go Loses belongings frequently

Working Memory Assessment and Intervention AWMA-2 and Cogmed

Presentation Title runs here l 00/00/008 Gaining understanding via assessment: Alloway Working Memory Assessment AWMA 2 is a web-based assessment which screens for Working Memory Deficits in children and adults (5 – 79yrs). Provides standard scores and percentiles, which aid in: - Monitoring individual learners or whole class progress - Identify individual strengths and weaknesses - Provide evidence for extra support

Cogmed – Working memory intervention programme for ages 4 and up, including adults. – Based on solid research. – Improves WM substantially and lastingly. – 25 sessions, lasting approx 30 mins. Cogmed Working Memory Training

Used with students who struggle due to WM constraints Cogmed training will improve WM substantially and lastingly Allows student to absorb the standard curriculum programs effectively Results in better maths and reading comprehension performance Acts as a primer for improved learning; building the platform for learning Why Cogmed makes sense for a school

For more information Webinars: AWMA: Monday, February 25th at 3.30PM Thursday, March 21st at 3PM Thursday, April 25th at 12.30PM Cogmed Monday, February 25th at 12.30PM Thursday, March 21st at 12 midday Thursday, April 25th at 3.30PM

Contacts Alison Winter +44 (0) (0)

Q&A?

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