Working Memory and Education : Recent Advances in Cognitive Psychology

Abstract

Working memory underpins the transient retention of information in the service of cognitive processes within a variety of tasks. As this memory function restricts our ability to regulate mental processes, it potentially characterizes our learning and educational activities. This article reviews three lines of working memory research in cognitive psychology : Short-term retention of verbal information, the relationship between storage and processing in working memory, and the role of working memory in learning activities. These three research areas constitute promising directions in working memory research. Although the present paper limited its scope to relatively basic studies, the findings reported here could lay the foundation for applied working memory research in educational settings.