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
Control
ADHD
Working Memory
95
85
75
Correct
65
55
45
35
25
15
5
7,5
8,5
9,5
10,5
11,5
12,5
13,5
Age
Westerberg et al. (2004), Visuo-spatial working memory:
a sensitive measurement of cognitive deficits in ADHD.
Child Neuropsychology 10 (3) 155-61.
14,5
15,5
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
AWMA-2 and Cogmed
Working Memory Assessment and Intervention
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
8
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Cogmed Working Memory Training
Cogmed
– Working
memory intervention programme for ages 4 and
up, including adults.
– Based
on solid research.
– Improves
– 25
WM substantially and lastingly.
sessions, lasting approx 30 mins.
Why Cogmed makes sense for a school
•
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
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
www.pearsonclincial.co.uk
www.cogmed.uk.com
Alison Winter
Alison.winter@pearson.com
+44 (0)7734 744 771
+44 (0)161 488 4006
Q&A?
Thank you