Development of a working memory screening measure for future mathematic attainment.
Lead Research Organisation:
Durham University
Department Name: Education
Abstract
The aim of the research is to examine the relationship between visuo-spatial working memory (VSWM) and maths performance in children aged 7-11 years. The work will build upon recent research by Ashkenazi et al who identified a link between VSWM capacity and subsequent maths performance. A further aim of the current proposed research is to develop a screening assessment to identify children with visuo-spatial deficits related to early maths development. An important component of the proposed work is the opportunity to combine cutting-edge research with real classroom settings to maximise the ecological validity of the work and make a measurable and sustainable impact in the early identification of children-at-risk of low maths attainment. The work will be split between the School of Education, the Department of Psychology, and the Primary Schools of Redcar & Cleveland (supported by David Major, Head of Education and his team).
Organisations
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ES/P000762/1 | 01/10/2017 | 30/09/2027 | |||
| 1887446 | Studentship | ES/P000762/1 | 01/10/2017 | 30/09/2020 | Katie Allen |
| Description | Spatial-simultaneous and verbal working memory predictive of maths in y3. Predictive relationships move towards visuospatial as children get older. Appears to be no specific cognitive profile associated with poor maths performance - need to understand full cognitive profile. Spatial-sequential and verbal working memory measured in y3 more predictive of maths in y5. URLs not accepted below: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1747021819871243?journalCode=qjpd; https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/bjep.12339 |
| Exploitation Route | Future research should seek to identify long-term predictors from younger children and use this to develop an early screener. |
| Sectors | Education |
| URL | https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10648-019-09470-8 |
| Description | Taken to schools to give teachers a brief understanding of how working memory impacts on classroom activities, with a focus on maths. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2020 |
| Sector | Education |
| Description | School training |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Delivered training to the schools that participated in my project on what my project was about, the findings, and the importance of working memory in the classroom (how they can support poor WM etc). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |