Working Memory How it works
Working memory How long do items stay without rehearsal? Practice: Remember a group of letters: ‘XTMR’ count backwards by 3’s Are they still there?
Chunking Are experts smarter? Capacity of WM Expert chess players as an example The mystery of expertise
Practice Spontaneous rehearsal Intersperse lecture and lab Adapt practice to learner Respond to meaningful questions
Bypass Working Memory External support aids, references, embedded information Reference based training Relevant task and reference guide Provide conceptual and process information Case studies related to tasks
Bypass WM by automating knowledge and skills Practice
Reduce load by chunking information On pages and screens Sequencing information Integrate text, graphics, audio
Focus on Performance-Based knowledge and skills
Provide complete handouts
Provide worked examples
What happens when working memory gets filled up? 1.Clear by providing frequent rehearsal opportunities 2.Bypass through external memory resources or automation of knowledge 3.Reduce burden by information layout techniques 4.Reduce processing demand by providing instructional materials that do nonessential work for learner
How to manage overload Clear WM on a regular basis Bypass WM resource requirements Reduce WM load via information display Provide external processing support