Understanding Working Memory

This new edition of the previously titled Improving Working Memory , introduces readers to the topic; and provides strategies to use in the classroom to support student′s additional learning needs.

This is a clearly written and well-organised book, providing valuable information about working memory and how it can affect individuals’ learning and progress in an educational context. It is a ‘must read’ for all teachers and support assistants in primary and secondary schools. Many parents are likely to find the book of interest to them if they have a child with any of the disorders discussed in the book. Undergraduate psychology students would also benefit from reading this book as background understanding to working memory in context – the references and further reading offering opportunity to extend their knowledge.

The clear structure and lack of jargon make the book accessible to a wide range of readers... I was especially impressed that anxiety disorders were included because these can have a debilitating effect on a student, and yet they are often missed out of books on special needs. The case studies are helpful and provide examples of how students can be affected, together with specific strategies that can be used to help them.

It is a very handy, "go to" reference for students, teachers and parents about the nature of working memory difficulties and how these can manifest themselves within the areas of Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, DCD, ADHD, ASD  and Anxiety disorders.

The book is a refreshing welcome addition to the field of special education, and promises to be a great success among educators.

Tracy Packiam Alloway, PhD, is a professor of Psychology at the University of North Florida. Formerly, she was the Director of the Center for Memory and Learning in the Lifespan in the UK. She is an expert on working memory and education, and has published over 75 journal articles and books on this topic. She developed the internationally recognized Alloway Working Memory Assessment (Pearson Assessment, translated into 20 languages). She writes a blog for Psychology Today and Huffington Post. She has also provided advice to Fortune 500 companies, like Prudential, as well as the World Bank and BBC. www.tracyalloway.com Ross Alloway, PhD, CEO of Memosyne Ltd., brings working memory training to educators and parents. Ross developed Jungle Memory, used by thousands of students in over twenty countries. Together with Tracy Alloway, Ross edited an academic book on working memory (Psychology Press) and co-authored a popular science book (Simon & Schuster, translated into 17 languages). He has also has published research with Tracy Alloway on working memory in a variety of contexts, from education to aging, from happiness to lying, from barefoot running to Facebook. Their research has been featured on BBC, ABC News, Huffington Post, Salon, The Washington Post, and Newsweek. He writes a blog for Huffington Post. www.docsalloway.com