Making working memory really work: From the research laboratory to schools and beyond
Lead Research Organisation:
University of York
Department Name: Psychology
Abstract
Abstracts are not currently available in GtR for all funded research. This is normally because the abstract was not required at the time of proposal submission, but may be because it included sensitive information such as personal details.
Publications
Joni Holmes (Author)
(2011)
Making working memory really work : from the laboratory to schools
Joni Holmes (Author)
(2011)
Can working memory training improve children's reading and language skills?
Joni Holmes (Author)
(2011)
Working memory and learning difficulties
Joni Holmes (Author)
(2011)
Working memory training, attentional control and processing speed
Joni Holmes (Author)
(2011)
Is working memory training for everyone?
Susan Gathercole (Author)
(2011)
Working memory, language, and classroom learning
Susan Gathercole (Author)
(2011)
Towards a cognitive phenotype of working memory deficit disorder
Susan Gathercole (Speaker)
(2011)
Working memory, learning, and behaviour in the classroom
| Description | We investigated whether children's progress in the school curriculum could be improved by a computer programme boosting working memory, the ability to hold information in mind for brief periods of time when performing demanding tasks. Tightly-controlled studies run by researchers experienced in implementing this training have already shown that working memory abilities improve substantially in children who are poor learners. The purpose of the present project was to establish whether the same benefits would be found in 'field trials' in which teachers administer the training to their own pupils, and whether the children's academic performance as measured by national ability tests also improve with training. Three field trials were conducted, at a primary school, middle school, and secondary technology college. Positive effects of training were found in both of the two younger groups. The working memory abilities of the mixed ability primary school group improved following training. Compared with children who did not undergo training, low-performing children in Year 6 had higher National Curriculum SATs scores in both English and maths. The same training gains were not found in Year 5 children. Memory training did not benefit maths achievements in the secondary school children with low maths achievement, which may be a consequence of the low completion rate of the training. These findings establish that it is feasible for schools to implement memory training in primary school aged children and that in older children within this age range, training was associated with improvements in educationally-relevant measures of academic abilities. |
| Exploitation Route | Ecucational and health professionals can use this research to support the use of cognitive training as an effective method for remediating, in part, some of the difficulties faced by struggling learners and children with poor working memory. This research can be used to guide effective management and support for children with poor working memory. The results of these trials suggest that it is feasible for schools to implement memory training in primary school aged children and that training is associated with improvements in educationally-relevant measures of academic abilities. |
| Sectors | Other |
| Description | School partnership |
| Organisation | Stowmarket Middle School |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Dr Holmes and Professor Gathercole have developed an excellent working relationship with one of the school partners, Sally Holmes, who was involved in this ESRC project. We have subsequently submitted a bid for funding to the Royal Society School Partnership Scheme to support further collaborative research. |
| Start Year | 2013 |
| Description | Recent research on working memory and its applications in education |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Primary Audience | |
| Results and Impact | Workshop on Current Developments in Assessment and Interventions for Improving Working Memory, UCL, September 2011. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | |
| Description | Talk at the Patrick Wild Centre, Edinburgh on the CALM project |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Approximately 80 people drawn from clinical fields including paediatrics and clinical psychology attended the lecture on the CALM specific learning difficulties clinic |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| Description | Working memory : connecting cognition and learning |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Primary Audience | |
| Results and Impact | A workshop for psychologists, Perth, Australia, August 2011. http://www.psychology.org.au/Events/Downloads/634389934512374274_CEDP%20August%20Event%20with%20Susan%20Gathercole%20(1).pdf |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | |
| Description | Working memory and learning |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Primary Audience | |
| Results and Impact | North Somerset INSET session, Fosse Way School Somerset, October 2010 |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | |
| Description | Working memory difficulties : classroom strategies that work |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | A workshop for education professionals Perth, Australia, August 2011. http://www.dyslexia-speld.com/Portals/0/docs/Susan%20Gathercole%20PD.pdf |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2011 |