How are pupils’ working memory skills linked to their mathematical abilities?

This digest found in

Mathematics

Authors

Holmes, Joni and Adams, John W. University of Durham

Publisher

Educational Psychology, 26 (3), 2006, 339-366
[Original Title: Working memory and children’s mathematical skills: implications for mathematical development and mathematics curricula]

Introduction

Several studies have identified a general link between pupils’ working memory skills and their mathematical ability. The researchers defined working memory as the system within the brain that is responsible for manipulating and storing information for brief periods of time.
This study aimed to find out how specific aspects of working memory contributed to pupils’ mathematical skills at Key Stage 2.

The study involved 148 pupils from three primary schools in the North East of England who participated in two testing sessions. Their working memory skills were assessed in the first session and their mathematical abilities were assessed in the second.

The researchers found that the pupils’ working memory skills predicted over a quarter of the differences in children’s scores on a mathematics test, and that pupils’ mathematical abilities, independent of their age, were related to their ability to
• process information; and
• store and manipulate visual information.

The researchers also found that:
• pupils in Year 3 were more reliant on their ability to manipulate and store visual information to solve mathematical problems; and
• pupils in Year 5 were beginning to rely on their ability to manipulate and store verbal information to solve simple mathematical problems.

Keywords: England; Key Stage 2; Primary schools; Pupils; Mathematics; Thinking skills; Cognitive development; Problem solving.

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Research Home Themes \| Find digests \| About the digests resources glossary researchers contact TRIPS Introduction What did the study find? How did the researchers define working memory and how was it tested? How were pupils' mathematical skills tested? How was the study designed? What are the implications? Where can I find out more? Send us your feedback Collated digests How are pupils’ working memory skills linked to their mathematical abilities? To view/remove/add notes and save your collated digests click here Get Word Reader How are pupils’ working memory skills linked to their mathematical abilities? This digest found in Mathematics Send to a friend Word doc 90KB Printer friendly Authors Holmes, Joni and Adams, John W. University of Durham Publisher Educational Psychology, 26 (3), 2006, 339-366 [Original Title: Working memory and children’s mathematical skills: implications for mathematical development and mathematics curricula] Introduction Several studies have identified a general link between pupils’ working memory skills and their mathematical ability. The researchers defined working memory as the system within the brain that is responsible for manipulating and storing information for brief periods of time. This study aimed to find out how specific aspects of working memory contributed to pupils’ mathematical skills at Key Stage 2. The study involved 148 pupils from three primary schools in the North East of England who participated in two testing sessions. Their working memory skills were assessed in the first session and their mathematical abilities were assessed in the second. The researchers found that the pupils’ working memory skills predicted over a quarter of the differences in children’s scores on a mathematics test, and that pupils’ mathematical abilities, independent of their age, were related to their ability to • process information; and • store and manipulate visual information. The researchers also found that: • pupils in Year 3 were more reliant on their ability to manipulate and store visual information to solve mathematical problems; and • pupils in Year 5 were beginning to rely on their ability to manipulate and store verbal information to solve simple mathematical problems. Keywords: England; Key Stage 2; Primary schools; Pupils; Mathematics; Thinking skills; Cognitive development; Problem solving.