Blog 2: Chapters 1 & 2
Role:Rigorous Research
Natalie Gregorski
One of the major topics of discussion in the first two chapters of this book was memory, and how it is used in learning and retrieving information. There are three types, short term, long term, and working memory, all of which are important to thinking and education. The topic that I found the most interesting was working memory and how there is very limited space, yet we can pull from long term memory to help sort through out tasks and information given to us. After researching more information I found the following to be useful in exploring working memory more.
Working memory is a system for temporarily storing and managing the information required to carry out complex cognitive tasks such as learning, reasoning, and comprehension. Working memory is involved in the selection, initiation, and termination of information-processing functions such as encoding, storing, and retrieving data. ( MedicineNet.com )
The following passage was taken from the American Psychological foundation on how working memory would be the cause of some behavior symptoms of ADHD and how those might be remedied through training
"It could be that working-memory problems give rise to observable behavioral symptoms of ADHD: distractibility and also poor academic achievement," she says. Working-memory deficits might also underpin some reading disabilities, as it controls the ability to recall words read earlier in a sentence, says Tannock.
But how--or even if--working memory can be expanded through training remains a topic of hot contention among psychologists. Some argue that working memory has a set limit of about four items, and that individual differences in working memory arise from the ability to group small bits of information into larger chunks. However, new research suggests that working-memory capacity could expand with practice--a finding that could shed new light on this central part of the mind's architecture, as well as potentially lead to treatments for ADHD or other learning disabilities.
To learn more visit the Association Website
http://www.apa.org/monitor/sep05/workout.aspx
Natalie Gregorski
Natalie, you were definitely the Rigorous Researcher! The information you have contributed about working memory having a link to ADHD is very interesting. Especially when you say that new research may find individuals with ADHD being able to expand their working memory with practice. I can't imagine how tough it must be for our students when they read an article/story and can't recall words from an earlier sentence. How frustrated they must become! I know sometimes when I read a book, I'll get through a whole chapter and realize my mind was wandering and I can't comprehend anything I just read.
ReplyDelete-Alex
P.S. I love the Finding Nemo title!
I think that the research about working memory and ADHD was very interesting. From my own experience it can be very frustrating to read a sentence and not remember what you have read. The fact that it has to do with working-memory was a surprise to me.
ReplyDeleteStacey
I like that in your research it said "working-memory deficits might also underpin some reading disabilities, as it controls the ability to recall words read earlier in a sentence." In our book we are reading for LTED it talked about "masking" defined as "the new information placed into STM covers up or replaces what is already there." To make a connection between the two books is nice, but to have it defined in more then one way makes it clearer.
ReplyDelete-Melissa
Kucer, S. B. (2005). Dimensions of literacy: A conceptual base for teaching reading and writing in school settings (2nd ed.). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
oo and I love your title!!
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