Computerized cognitive training is recognized as an appropriate tool in enhancing working memory in individuals with and without physical limitations. Previous researchers have examined the application of computerized cognitive training in stroke patients, children suffering from ADHD, and older adults. Presently, there is a lack of controlled studies regarding computerized cognitive training in low-achieving primary school students. The goal of this study was to examine the interactions among working memory, computerized cognitive training and academic achievement. Specifically, the study sought to determine whether low-achieving primary school students would significantly improve their mathematics achievement (as measured by the Grade Four Literacy Test) and working memory capacity (as measured by the Automated Working Memory Assessment) through computerized cognitive training on working memory. A random pre-test post-test control-group experimental study was conducted to test the research hypotheses. The experimental group received progressive computerized working memory training. The control group received basic computerized working memory training. Training for both groups of student was conducted the same time each day by the class teacher at the participants' school. The duration for practice was one hour per day, five days per week for five weeks. The working memory capacity of the experimental group was compared to the control group. Both experimental and control groups subjects showed improvements in working memory scores from the baseline pre-test to the post-test. Analysis of the multivariate tests suggests that there was significant difference (Wilks Lambda F = 2.880, p = .045) between the group receiving progressive computerized working memory training compared to the group receiving basic computerized working memory training. The mathematics achievement of the experimental group was compared to the control group immediately after completing training. Both the experimental and control group students showed improvement in post training mathematics scores. However, the difference between control and experimental group improvement was not significant (F = 2.719, p = .085). The end-of-term mathematics (six weeks after completing training) scores of the experimental group was compared to the control group. Both the experimental and control group students showed improvement in their end-of-term mathematics scores. However, the difference between control and experimental group improvement was not significant (F = 2.719, p = .085).

Children with ADHD diagnosis often display working memory deficits, as well as reading and mathematical disabilities. Previous studies have demonstrated that computerized working memory training (WMT) is a promising intervention. The present study aimed at exploring the effects of WMT on working memory, scholastic skills and behavioral symptoms in children with ADHD. Thirty-two children, aged 6 to 11, were randomized to WMT or a control condition. WMT consisted of nine tasks taxing working memory with adaptive difficulty level. All children trained in their homes, with their parents acting as supervisors. Children who completed more than 20 days of training in 5-8 weeks (8 in the WMT condition and 13 in the control condition) were considered compliers. Assessments were conducted before and after intervention. Results indicated that WMT lead to significant gains of verbal working memory and arithmetic skills. More research is needed to further investigate the effects of WMT.

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The literature suggests working memory can have a significant effect on children's academic success. A number of working memory training programmes have been developed as tools for helping children to boost their working memory and learning ability. The reliability and validity of this body of evidence has been challenged recently with questions raised as to whether such programmes actually do boost working memory or show any subsequent impact upon learning. The thesis contains an evaluative systematic review examining eight studies from the last decade that explore the effects of working memory training on working memory, literacy and numeracy. The review found significant near and far transfer effects for improvements to working memory with differences in the pattern of these improvements. The assertion that working memory training leads to improvements in other areas such as literacy and numeracy is also challenged. The thesis also contains an examination of the efficacy of a paired whole class working memory intervention in delivering improvements in the working memory, literacy and numeracy skills of primary aged school children. The pre-experimental design tested the impact of the intervention on the working memory, literacy and numeracy of a sample of forty-one Year 4 children. The data demonstrated a significant positive immediate effect of the programme on verbal working memory recall and processing and visual-spatial working memory processing and recall. No significant immediate effects of the programme were found on numeracy or literacy. Finally a critical appraisal of concepts of evidence based practice and a review of the literature regarding the dissemination of research and notions of research impact is presented. The implications of the current research for professional practice is explored in terms of the care that must be taken by educational professionals in offering up working memory training programmes as solutions to academic underachievement in children.

A solid understanding of basic mathematics is essential for many practical, everyday tasks and good mathematical skills are increasingly necessary in the workplace. For some, however, mathematics can evoke an adverse emotional reaction, increasingly recognised in both psychology and education as 'Mathematics Anxiety' (MA); nationally funded projects are currently undertaking research in this area. Studies show that MA can develop in early childhood and increase in intensity with age; this emphasises the importance of early intervention and educational psychologists are well-placed to promote and support this. Paper One details a systematic literature review evaluating the impact and effectiveness of interventions on the reduction of MA in school-aged children. Nine studies, published between 2010 and 2017, met inclusion criteria and were assessed using quality frameworks. Findings indicated that MA might be amenable to intervention in children aged between seven and eighteen years; potential factors contributing to effective amelioration were identified and discussed. In Paper Two, the relationship between MA and working memory (WM) is highlighted and explored. Having established a possible bi-directional relationship, a quasi-experimental, empirical study aimed to assess the potential benefits of WM training for reducing MA. A comparison group completed activities encompassing many of the potentially effective factors identified in Paper One. 50 children, aged between eight and nine years, participated in six-week long interventions. MA was measured through self-report and qualitative questionnaires; data were analysed quantitatively (using descriptive and inferential statistics) or qualitatively (using content analysis) respectively. Findings question the validity of self-report measures of MA in this age group and implications for effective intervention are considered. Paper Three provides an overview of the concepts of evidence-based practice and practice-based research in addition to considering current literature in relation to effective dissemination of research. Implications resulting from the current research are discussed alongside the proposed dissemination strategy.

<p>Working memory (WM) is essential for our ability to function cognitively. In this thesis we set out to examine the effects of computerized WM training in adults, through a randomized, comparison group controlled and double blind design. We measured this using a neuropsychological test called Paced Auditory Serial Addition Task (PASAT), which measures executive functions. The participants (N106), divided into four groups, young (20-30), old (60-70) and training-low dose. They trained with a computerized WM training program called Rememo© at home for five days a week during a period of five weeks. Before and after training they took the test, and then again after three months. The training gave significant improvement on PASAT performance in both young and old, and that the effect was significant at follow up. In conclusion, WM training has an effect even outside the specific tasks trained, which gives strong support to the theory of generalization and also support findings of plasticity in the aging brain.</p>

Working memory (WM) is essential for our ability to function cognitively. In this thesis we set out to examine the effects of computerized WM training in adults, through a randomized, comparison group controlled and double blind design. We measured this using a neuropsychological test called Paced Auditory Serial Addition Task (PASAT), which measures executive functions. The participants (N106), divided into four groups, young (20-30), old (60-70) and training-low dose. They trained with a computerized WM training program called Rememo© at home for five days a week during a period of five weeks. Before and after training they took the test, and then again after three months. The training gave significant improvement on PASAT performance in both young and old, and that the effect was significant at follow up. In conclusion, WM training has an effect even outside the specific tasks trained, which gives strong support to the theory of generalization and also support findings of plasticity in the aging brain.

The current study explored the relationship between working memory (WM) and reading performance in 50 typically-developing third-grade students, as well as the effect of WM-training on their WM, reading fluency, and reading comprehension skills. Half of the sample was randomly assigned to the experimental group, while the other half was placed in the control group. Children in both groups participated in a battery of WM and reading assessments preceding and following three weeks of computer game play. The children in the experimental group played a WM-training computer game for about 10 minutes a day (Monday-Friday) for three weeks, while children in the control group played a computer game that required sustained attention, but did not have a WM component. It was hypothesized that WM performance would predict reading performance, such that better WM ability would be associated with better reading ability. Furthermore, it was predicted that WM span would mediate the relationship between reading fluency and reading comprehension. In terms of WM training, it was hypothesized that WM training would significantly improve the experimental group's performance on the measures of WM, reading fluency, and reading comprehension relative to the control group. Results indicated that WM ability significantly predicted performance on measures of reading fluency and reading comprehension at pre-test; however, WM performance was not observed to mediate the relationship between reading fluency and reading comprehension despite being closely associated with both skills. Finally, although children in the experimental group did not show improvements in WM performance relative to those in the control group on transfer tasks, they did demonstrate improvements in reading fluency and reading comprehension. The findings of this study not only suggest that WM ability is closely related to reading skills, but also that WM training may serve as another route to further improve and develop students' literacy abilities.

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Studies attempting to increase working memory (WM) capacity show promise in enhancing related cognitive functions (see Morrison & Chein, 2011 for a recent review), but have also raised criticism in the broader scientific community given the scattered findings produced by these studies (Morrison & Chein, 2011; Shipstead, Redick, & Engle, 2010, 2012). Non-invasive brain stimulation, in particular transcranial direct current stimulation, has been shown to enhance WM performance in a single session (Fregni, et al., 2005) as well as learning over time in other cognitive domains (Iuculano & Cohen Kadosh, 2013; Reis, et al., 2009). However, the extent to which tDCS might enhance learning on a WM training regime, and the extent to which learning gains might transfer outside of the training task remain unknown. To this end, participants engaged in an adaptive WM training task (previously utilized in Chein & Morrison, 2010; Richmond, Morrison, Chein, & Olson, 2011) for 10 sessions over two weeks, concurrent with either active or sham stimulation of dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Before and after training, a battery of tests tapping domains known to relate to WM abilities was administered. Results show that tDCS reliably enhanced learning on the training task, particularly in the verbal domain. Furthermore, tDCS was shown to enhance transfer to other untrained WM tasks. These results lend support to the idea that tDCS might bolster training and transfer gains in populations with compromised WM abilities. / Psychology