[senco-forum] working memory

Hi Sue

Working memory is where you run all of the operations that see you through
the day, and like the RAM of a computer it has very limited virtual memory
space in comparison to the long term memory which is like a hard disc to
complete the analogy.

The problems arise if you have a deficit to work around, such as Auditory
processing disorder, which is MAXINE Youngs article is useful as Maxine is
an audiologists who has specialised in APD for some years now. If you have a
deficit such as APD you have to develop coping strategies or workarounds to
cope with life, and these coping strategies need to work in the very limited
working memory, and in some cases some thing has to go so that these coping
strategies can work. So what has to go would be considered by others the
tasks that others use working memory but with no competition from coping
strategies. So those who have to run coping strategies may appear to be
forgetful in other areas of their life.

So it is about the best use of a limited amount of memory space, and this
can not be made bigger or improved, it is more about better selection of
use, but if it is overloaded then something has to go, and so some may
appear to organisational difficulties.

Best wishes

Graeme
dolfrog
dolfrog at apduk.org
http://www.apduk.org
dolfrog at dolfrog.com
http://www.dolfrog.com
http://www.ldlinks.org.uk 

-----Original Message-----
From: senco-forum-bounces at lists.becta.org.uk
[mailto:senco-forum-bounces at lists.becta.org.uk] On Behalf Of Sam Hopwood
Sent: Thursday, June 29, 2006 11:15 PM
To: senco-forum at lists.becta.org.uk
Subject: [senco-forum] working memory

Tests often show a child has poor working/short term memory. What can be 
done to improve this?  Are there any good books on the subject?

Apologies if this has been discussed before (I'm sure it has) but I'm new to

the forum,
Cheers,
Sue

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