Working memory disorder is a challenging problem some students are seriously struggling with. Working Memory (WM) was defined in the literature as “a brain system that provides temporary storage and manipulation of the information necessary for . . . complex cognitive tasks” (Baddeley, 1992, p. 556). Hence a learner with WM Disorder will not only struggle academically but also in their everyday problem-solving tasks. There is a lot yet to understand on WM, especially how it works in mathematics learning as it continues to be a challenge for cognition scientists (David, 2012).
In all Math topics, a certain level of problem-solving is required so students could master the expected skill. Math educators could not stress enough about the importance of practice to acquire a skill masterfully. However, students with WM deficits struggle to focus on a given task rather to solve a problem. It is worthwhile to point here that WM disorder is a common feature for well-known learning disorders, such as ADHD and Dyslexia (Alloway, 2009). Students who suffer from WM disorder not only get distracted easily, they tend to forget instructions instantly and hence disengage from class activities (Normand & Tannock, 2014). These challenges combined make it extra hard for students to follow up in Math classes.
To sum up the efforts a teacher to put on in order to help students with WM challenges, she needs to: 1) keep them focused on a task, and 2) engage them in class activities. The first point requires intuitive instruction that does not need the student to “remember” what they were told to do. The second requires highly engaging medium where students are actively involved (Supporting students with working memory difficulties, 2013). The literature suggests that technology can help our students stay focused on one task while leaving minimal room for distraction (Houston, 2016). Gamified learning is a great way to make learning interactive with motivation factor turned on.
The inspiration for the suggested approach is based on those facts:
- Gamers tend to have higher cognitive abilities than those who are not (Boot, Blakely & Simon, 2011)
- Games such as Tetris could improve Visual Working memory significantly (Lau‐Zhu et al, 2017)
- Math games can be effective with disabled learners, not only to achieve higher results but to change their attitude towards Math to a positive one (Okolo, 1992).
While there are tons of online tools that provide educational games, I choose BrainPOP.com as a resource. It is a website that provides learning resources from games all the way to worksheets for K-12 subjects. I demonstrate how the website works in this video, showcasing Fractions topic.
Educational Games is a huge topic discourse continues to grow around the topic, yet BrainPOP is one of the most recommended websites by educators and game designers. This website has the advantage of providing high-quality games, where each game really focuses on one skill, which fits perfectly with WM defected students who struggle to hold many information at a time. For teachers, this is a perfect web resource as it makes it very easy to find the game per module per topic. Of course the concept of educational games could be applied to other subjects as well, however, my approach here is to conquer math practicing to master a skill.
To conclude, students with working memory deficits struggle with mathematics, and we teachers can support their learning. This blog suggests educational games to help students focus when working practicing a mathematical skill. While there are many educational games tools and sites, teachers should take care when selecting best alternatives that provide high quality and deliver best results.
Have other suggestion for online tools? Please add them to the comments box below.
References
Alloway, T. P. (2009). Working memory, but not IQ, predicts subsequent learning in children with learning difficulties. European Journal of Psychological Assessment, 25(2), 92-98. doi:http://dx.doi.org.proxy1.cl.msu.edu/10.1027/1015-5759.25.2.92
Baddeley, A. (1992). Working memory. Science, 255, 556–559. doi: 10.1126/science.1736359
Boot, W., Blakely, D., & Simons, D. (2011). Do action video games improve perception and cognition? Frontiers in Psychology, 2(226), 1–6. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2011.00226
David, C. V. (2012). Working memory deficits in Math learning difficulties: A meta-analysis. International Journal of Developmental Disabilities, 58(2), 67-84.
Houston, L. (2016). Working memory difficulties: Strategies for the classroom. Retrieved from https://www.ldatschool.ca/working-memory-difficulties/
Lau‐Zhu, A., Holmes, E. A., Butterfield, S., & Holmes, J. (2017). Selective association between tetris game play and visuospatial working memory: A preliminary investigation.Applied Cognitive Psychology, 31(4), 438-445. doi:10.1002/acp.3339
Okolo, C. M. (1992). The effect of computer‐assisted instruction format and initial attitude on the arithmetic facts proficiency and continuing motivation of students with learning disabilities. Exceptionality: A Special Education Journal,3(4), 195-211
Normand, S., & Tannock, R. (2014). Screening for working memory deficits in the classroom: The psychometric properties of the working memory rating scale in a longitudinal school-based study. Journal of Attention Disorders, 18(4), 294-304. 10.1177/1087054712445062
Supporting students with working memory difficulties. (2013). Retrieved from http://canlearnsociety.ca/resources/take-ten-series/working-memory/
Hanan Alshikh 
I love this resource. What a great addition to any curriculum! When you have used it in class, what device(s) did you use it on? I work with both Microsoft Surface’s and Apple iPads so I’m wondering which would work better (it looks like you use it on a Microsoft product). I also really liked your description of memory with the desk and file cabinets. Have you used that to demonstrate the concept to your students? I could see this being a nice explanation for students to illustrate how their memory works. I have found that it helps to illustrate how their brain works in order for students to begin to understand what is going on up there and how, just maybe, they can begin to live in accordance with how their brain works.
Thanks for the comment 🙂
I used BrainPOP as a group activity: I show it on the class projector and a group shout out the answer. I plan to use it more actively with my students. Would be great on any device I guess but I didn’t use it on tablets as of now.
What a great idea to explain how the memory works! I honestly didn’t think of it. Thank you for suggesting it.