Alloway Working Memory Assessment 2 Introduction and updates Alison Winter

Agenda Over view of working memory AWMA (2007) Revision goals for AWMA 2 Test structure Introduction to AWMA 2 Q&A Alloway Working Memory Assessment 2 l 2012

Working Memory 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): 83% scored poorly on either reading or maths tests the vast majority of these scored poorly in both areas Alloway Working Memory Assessment 2 l 2012

Automated Working Memory Assessment (2007) Age range 4-22 Locally installed (Maximum of 2 computers) Load on the examiners working memory. Individual administration. Alloway Working Memory Assessment 2 l 2012

Revision goals for AWMA 2 Increase the age range Increase user-friendliness Enhance clinical utility Improve psychometric properties. Alloway Working Memory Assessment 2 l 2012

Increase user-friendliness Increase Age Range - Norms increased to 79 yrs Increase user-friendliness - Fully automated. - Number of items per block (6 to 4) Design on test materials Completely web-based (greater flexibility) Alloway Working Memory Assessment 2 l 2012

Enhanced clinical utility Special group studies Intellectually gifted Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Mathematics Disorder (Dyscalculia) Reading Disorder (Dyslexia) Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Borderline Intellectual Functioning. Statistical linkage to measure of attainment. Improved psychometric properties Norms Item bias Alloway Working Memory Assessment 2 l 2012

AWMA 2 - Structure Tests included in AWMA 2 Verbal STM Digit Recall Letter Recall Verbal WM Backwards Digit Recall Processing Letter Recall Visuo Spatial STM Dot Matrix Block Recall Visuo Spatial WM Mr X Backwards Dot Matrix Alloway Working Memory Assessment 2 l 2012

Test Content New, Retained and Deleted Retained test Deleted Tests New tests Digit recall Backward digit recall Dot matrix Block recall Mr X Word recall Non-word recall Listening recall Letter recall - Verbal STM Processing Letter Recall - Verbal WM Backward dot matrix - Visuo-spatial WM Alloway Working Memory Assessment 2 l 2012

Overview AWMA 2 - Author - Tracy Packiam Alloway - Publication Year: 2012 - Age Range: 5 to 79 years - Administration Individual - Screener: 5 to 7 mins; Short form: 10 to 15 mins; Long form: 30 mins - Qualification Code: CL3 Cost: £175.00 p/a Overview AWMA 2 - Author - Tracy Packiam Alloway - Publication Year: 2013 - Age Range: 5 to 79 years - Administration (Individual and group) - Screener: 5 to 7 mins - Short form: 10 to 15 mins - Long form: 30 mins - Qualification Code: CL3 Cost: £175.00 p/a Alloway Working Memory Assessment 2 l 2012

AWMA 2 - Structure There are three versions of AWMA-2: AWMA-2 Screener: two working memory tests, suitable for screening WM difficulties. AWMA-2 Short Form: four tests; recommended to screen individuals who are suspected to have memory difficulties, but the specific area of their difficulties is not known AWMA-2 Long Form: all eight tests; recommended for confirmation of significant working memory problems Alloway Working Memory Assessment 2 l 2012

Alloway Working Memory Assessment 2 l 2012

Q&A Alloway Working Memory Assessment 2 l 2012

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