Trialled and Tested: Working Memory

In this episode of the Trialled and Tested podcast we explore working memory and its importance to teaching and learning; what it is, why it’s important for teachers to know about it and how an understanding of working memory can inform the way teachers teach.

Working memory is the ability to hold and manipulate information in your mind while you use it to finish a task. For example, this could be how many numbers you can keep in your mind at the same time to complete a mental arithmetic task. Research has suggested that working memory is a reliable predictor of numeracy outcomes. But why is it important to learning? What do teachers need to know about it and how can they attend to it in their daily working practices?

In this podcast, we hear from a psychologist and leading expert, Dr Tracy Alloway, as well as conversation with Alex Quigley from the EEF and Julie Watson from Huntington Research School.

You can read about the Education Endowment Trust’s project focused on improving working memory for pupils age seven and eight here.

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