Often, parents say to me, “My child is so smart, but struggles in class.” We recommend testing for these students and find that the parent is correct. If looking at IQ scores, the student is average to high average on the scale. Many students would even be defined as “gifted” by looking at the numbers. Unfortunately, IQ is a measure of potential not performance.
When we look at all of the data from the various tests, the performance indicators are much lower. There are many factors that can create the discrepancy. In the last few years, we have seen an increasing number of students with low working memory. Working memory, in simple terms, is the ability to organize information and hold in your mind in order to do verbal and nonverbal tasks. While many theories exist about working memory, in simplistic terms working memory would be used if you give a student a list of things to do, such as: go to your bedroom, open the drawer, get your grey socks, get your red shirt and go to the kitchen to get cereal.
A person must use working memory to maintain the information and perform the tasks in the correct order. While this is a simplistic description of working memory it is a very complex concept. An example of using working memory in math is:
In the following problem:
a. Multiply the third number in the first row by the seventh number in the third row.
b. Add the result to the fifth number in the second row.
c. Add to this total ten times the fourth number in the third row.
d. Subtract the eighth number in the first row from the results.
6 5 8 7 4 5 6 8 4
3 2 1 9 5 6 2 5 4
6 5 1 5 1 3 4 2 5
Answer: __________
If you do not use any paper to complete this problem, then you would be tapping into a strong working memory.
Many of the students that are served by the Teaching and Learning Center struggle with working memory. That's why we are piloting a 12-week program to help strengthen working memory along with 41 other cognitive skills. I learned about this program while attending the Learning and the Brain Conference; Harvard researchers have also done studies on its effectiveness.
Program participants will use the computer software program Brainware Safari 45-60 minutes three to five times per week. (This computer program helps students to strengthen their mental fitness.) Participants will take a pre- and post-program assessment to evaluate the change in cognitive function. Once we complete the program, we share data on the results and decide whether to expand the program.
Stay tuned for more...
