What is working memory?
Working memory is the brain's ability to hold information and manipulate information. It is the brain's workspace. It is an essential component to learning and essential for school age children.
All learning is dependent upon memory. Frequently in education, teachers lament that
students are lacking in memory processes necessary for adequate learning to
occur. In reality these teachers are
most often concerned with working memory and the significance for students to
be able to retain information in his or her working memory before it is
transformed into a permanent memory. A
child with low working memory may demonstrate deficits in the following areas
of school: academic achievement, coming
up with solutions to problems, verbal ability, paying attention, maintaining
focus, and/or monitoring his or her own work. Nonetheless, children with poor working memory are
also well adjusted socially, have average to above average intelligence, and
are frequently quiet in group lessons or activities. Many children with low working memory forget
the content of classroom instructions, act as if they are daydreaming, abandon
a complicated task, and make little academic progress in math and reading. Unfortunately, many teachers are not familiar with
the concept of working memory and what may be a deficit in working memory is
confused with an attentional issue or inability to focus.
Dr. Tracy Alloway calls working memory the brain's post it note. Some people have large post it notes and can hold many items in working memory while others have smaller post it notes. Of interest to parents, teachers, students and schools alike is the question, Can working memory be improved?
Link to Jungle Memory the program used in this dissertation study:
http://junglememory.com/
Dr. Tracy Alloway calls working memory the brain's post it note. Some people have large post it notes and can hold many items in working memory while others have smaller post it notes. Of interest to parents, teachers, students and schools alike is the question, Can working memory be improved?
Link to Jungle Memory the program used in this dissertation study:
http://junglememory.com/
Working Memory Resources for parents and educators
http://research.aboutkidshealth.ca/teachadhd/abc/chapter3/view?searchterm=model
http://www.cogmed.com/about-working-memory
http://www.cogmed.com/about-working-memory