Alloway Working Memory
Assessment 2
Introduction and updates
Alison Winter
Agenda
3
1.
Over view of working memory
2.
AWMA (2007)
3.
Revision goals for AWMA 2
4.
Test structure
5.
Introduction to AWMA 2
6.
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
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Alloway Working Memory Assessment 2 l 2012
Automated Working Memory Assessment (2007)
•Age
range 4-22
•Locally
•Load
installed (Maximum of 2 computers)
on the examiners working memory.
•Individual
5
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.
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Alloway Working Memory Assessment 2 l 2012
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)
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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
-
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Alloway Working Memory Assessment 2 l 2012
AWMA 2 - Structure
Tests included in AWMA 2
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Verbal STM
Verbal WM
Digit Recall
Backwards Digit Recall
Letter Recall
Processing Letter Recall
Visuo Spatial STM
Visuo Spatial WM
Dot Matrix
Mr X
Block Recall
Backwards Dot Matrix
Alloway Working Memory Assessment 2 l 2012
Test Content
New, Retained and Deleted
Retained test
•Digit
recall
•Backward digit recall
•Dot matrix
•Block recall
•Mr X
10 Alloway Working Memory Assessment 2 l 2012
Deleted Tests
•Word
recall
•Non-word recall
•Listening recall
New tests
•Letter
recall - Verbal STM
•Processing Letter Recall Verbal WM
•Backward
spatial WM
dot matrix -
Visuo-
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
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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
•
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Q&A
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Thank
you