Understanding Working Memory for Improving Learning

International Journal of Computer Applications Technology and Research
Volume 4– Issue 7, 485 - 490, 2015, ISSN:- 2319–8656
www.ijcat.com 485
Understanding Working Memory for Improving Learning
Nahla Aljojo
King Abdul Aziz University
Faculty of Computing and
Information Technology,
Information System
Department
Jeddah, 21382, KSA
Abrar Alahmary
Information System
Department
Jeddah, KSA
Huda Saifuddin
Arts and Humanities College,
Cognitive Psychology
Department
Makkah, KSA
Amany Aljedaany
Information System
Department
Jeddah, KSA
Rokaya Abduljalil Abed
Information System
Department
Jeddah, KSA
Rahma Takroni
Information System
Department
Jeddah, KSA
Abstract: A web-based working memory (WM) test system is a management system website that allows students to test their ability
and skills in remembering visual patterns. It also enables you to record and store the data for individuals. The system is developed
using HTML, PHP and MySQL as a database system to manage and store the data. The system targets several users: children and
adults who suffer from attention deficit or learning problems. The main objectives for developing the website are to educate the
community on the benefits of performing the working memory test of the activity of the brain and improvements in social skills and
improving poor academic and professional performance, especially in maths and reading comprehension. This study implements a set
of tasks, testing 59 adults aged 18-24 years of age at King Abdul-Aziz University for testing and measuring WM and cognitive
abilities. Results showed tests depended on the age entry by the user. The implications of the test results will help people know their
WM level before ascertaining the appropriate suggestions, and to make the test suit our society.
Keywords: Web-based Working Memory, Short Term Memory, Baddeley Theory, WM Training, Long Term Memory
1. INTRODUCTION
Baddeley and Hitch [1] and Baddeley [2] replaced the
concept of the short-term memory (STM) with working
memory (WM). The crucial difference was that short-term
memory was a simple store for information, while the more
modern concept of working memory is assumed to be a
cognitive component combining storage, processing and
executive control of the cognitive processes at hand.
Baddeley and Hitch defined WM as "a brain system that
provides temporary storage and manipulation of the
information necessary for complex cognitive tasks" [1].
WM plays an essential role in complex cognition so the
strength of working memory is often measured with cognitive
tests, such as repeating lists of numbers in reverse order or
recalling sequences of dots on a screen. People are constantly
throughout life dependent on their memory. The definition of
working memory is the ability to keep information on-line,
typically for a few seconds .
Memory and learning are inseparable. Therefore, you cannot
minimise the importance of memory in learning. Learning
allows us to acquire knowledge and gain new skills. The
memory is the process through which is achieved storage and
retention of this knowledge and these skills: to store and
activate what has been learned when we wish to use it again in
the future [3].
The connection between WM and learning at least in part
why WM capacity appears to predict a wide range of
academic abilities, including reading and understanding, and
gaining language, maths and thinking skills.
Several studies have found an association between
performance on domain-specific WM measures and academic
subjects.
Deficits in science and maths are the result of spatial
disabilities and weaknesses in acquiring a language and
learning English occur due to verbal WM disabilities. so the
ability of WM can help the student to limit or contribute to the
academic performance by performing some of the training.
Thus, this supports the relationship between WM, learning
and academics. Therefore, you can improve the capacity to
learn and maintain new information by strengthening the
ability of WM. You can then use this improvement for
academic achievement. This will improve reading
comprehension, and you can use it as a means to improve
educational competencies, accounting maths and logic skills
[4].

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Proven by previous studies is that the study of
improvements in Visual Attention and Working Memory
through a Web-based Cognitive Training Program can
improve cognitive abilities after days of training. Thus,
Lumos developed Improvement of Visual Attention and
Working Memory through a Web-based Cognitive Training
Program that makes cognitive training tools accessible to
many people and provides benefits for an individual to change
and improve their abilities online from home. The program
comprises a set of exercises such as Memory Match and
Monster Garden to improve attention and proves you can
change the capacity of the WM in healthy adults.
"Memory Match is a speeded n-back task where users must
compare the current stimulus with those presented
previously". In addition, the idea of Monster Garden is to
navigate through several stages of the mazes while depending
on spatial memory, avoiding obstacles to move to another
stage. Also, the number of obstacles increases to provide for
more difficult stages. The results of this study indicate that
training and improving cognitive abilities such as memory,
attention and how well people interact socially, and
conducting tasks of daily living from problem-solving to
driving, are possible with a web-based application [5][6].
Another study, CogMed Working Memory Training:
CogMed WM Training, is based on the many studies designed
for individuals with ADHD and/or working memory deficits
and focuses in this research about effects on students. The
goal of the program is to determine when the WM can be
improved so the student can learn multiple skills very easily
compared to before. CogMed acts as a start for improved
learning, allowing the student to build the cognitive platform
needed to learn and achieve success in professional and
academic performance [7]. CogMed is the online program
content of a group of exercises based on age, so we
select/discuss one exercise for every age, for example.
•CogMed JM - for pre-schoolers the game is Animals
•CogMed RM - for school-age the game is visual data link
•CogMed QM - for older adolescents and adults the game
is chaos
The results of this study indicate that training can improve
WM, which enables the student to solve different problems,
especially at poor educational and academic levels and in the
case of ADHD [8][9][10]. In addition, the study of Visual
Working Memory Capacity for Emotional Facial Expressions
to evaluate the ability of visual STM.This study initial stimuli
display consisted of six different facial expressions, each of
which occupied 3.38 º x 2.58 º of visual angle. When
generating initial stimuli displays, six pictures were randomly
pulled from a set of seven pictures, with the restriction that
two or more identical expressions could never be present at
the same display. then erased the initial stimuli and presented
a blank screen for 500 ms.Then only one image of facial
expression is chosen located in one place in the initial display.
The results of this study indicate that the memory capacity is
estimated through accurate response. It has been found that
the capacity of visual memory for emotional facial
expressions work equals 3.07, which is high compared with
the ability to flip the identities and other visual stimuli [11].
Then there is the study on the Impact of Working Memory
Training on Memory Performance in Old–Old Adults. In this
study, they investigated whether training WM had a salutary
effect on the performance of WM and episodic memory
octogenarians. For this study, they developed three variants of
WM computerised training missions that seem to be more
age-appropriate. All of our WM task variants continuously
adjusted to the individual’s WM capacity in an adaptive way:
If performing well in a particular task, the task gets harder,
but if performance fell below a certain level, the task gets
easier. The results of this study appear in WM task variant 1:
substantial improvement was seen: . The results of this study
appear in WM task variant 1: substantial improvement was
seen: [12].
Finally, the study of measuring developmental changes in
WM capacity. Measure the WM performing during scanning
the place of circle and identifies to increase capacity of WM
that measure brain activity. The test focused on filled circles
which appear at the start but when the unfilled circles appear,
press the button. It was made to test for visual stimulation and
eye movements. The result indicates the difference between
the load 3 and load 5 linked with age. WMC correlated with
WM capacity and WM activity investigated the interaction
between WM load and age. There are visual stimuli in task
when load 3 tasks will show the difference in visual
simulation [13].
The aim of this study is to develop a web-based WM
system to test your ability and skills for remembering visual
patterns and training to improve the memory that involves
temporary storage by using Baddeley theory (2000) [14] for a
working memory test. We are focusing in this study on
weakness of WM and its impact on education. Also in this
paper we discuss how to measure the rate of WM to keep
information for a period of time and cognitive abilities for
improving learning. The authors chose 59 students from King
Abdul-Aziz University and randomly selected students
(females) from the Faculty of Computing and Information
Technology from different departments (computer science,
information system, information technology) for a test to
measure WM and cognitive abilities.
2. Baddeley theory
Since Alan Baddeley’s WM theory co-developed with
Graham Hitch was published in 1974 and based on his
previous studies in psychology, he has published on many
WM aspects in many journal articles. In addition, he states on
the faculty webpage, "My interests are in human memory,
neuropsychology and in the practical application of cognitive
psychology" [2][14][15].
The term WM is first applicable to computational modelling
and animal learning research after changes in cognitive
psychology in the book Plans [2][14][15]. In the past, the term
WM referred to short term memory (STM) and described the
ability to keep information over a brief period of time
(seconds) but now the concept of STM has been replaced by
WM, which has increased focus on the concept of
manipulation of information instead of passive maintenance
[16].
The working memory test depends on Baddeley theory
whose definition of working memory is the ability to keep
information on-line, typically for a few seconds. It can be
divided into "primary" memory, with a partial capacity, and
"long term" memory. It also depends on different modules
such as the Central executive (CE), Phonological loop (PL)
and Visuospatial sketchpad, but now we focus in this test on
measuring your ability and skills to remember the visual
patterns and keep information for a few seconds. For example,
some activities that are dependent on memory, such as
remembering instructions or solving mathematical problems
such as when you want to calculate the sum of numbers or
other operations require both processing and storage in the
cognitive activities. In addition, reading requires

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understanding of information and retrieval in memory [17].
when individuals suffer from weakness in WM the performing
daily activities become difficult, such as can not complete the
learning activities and instructions. Thus, it is important to
verify whether WM can be improved [18]. However, until
recently, this poor WM could not be overcome, but some
success in improving performance using WM training
confirmed possible change [19].
3. Method
We met with a psychology expert to learn how to improve
WM by providing a collection of tests to assess and develop
the fundamental cognitive/mental skills and cognitive skills
of a person like WM using visual processing method. We
conducted the WM test on students of King Abdul-Aziz
University to measure their WM performance.
3.1 Participants
The total number of participants was 59 adults aged 18-24
years old. Participants in this research were mostly taken from
King Abdul-Aziz University; the experiment was done in
(Female section) the Faculty of Computing and Information
Technology from different departments (9 from information
technology, 41 from information system and 9 from computer
science department) for testing and measuring WM and
cognitive abilities.
3.2 Instruments
The task of one of the types of WM test that depended on
the Baddeley theory was created and run on computers in Lab
118. The test began at 12:00 pm and lasted until 2:00 pm; the
number of participants was 59 students from University of
king Abdul Aziz , Faculty of Computing and Information
Technology in differently departments ( computer science,
information system , Information Technology), each group
performed the test then the same way for the next group .
Before the test, I began speaking about instructional
information concerning the aims of the test and the time
required to finish it. When they began the test that appeared to
them, many pictures were displayed sequentially for 3
seconds. Each time a new picture appeared the more difficulty
(increased number of options and shapes) so as to make them
more focused on thing, place, shape, meaning they could
answer more questions and arrive at a time of higher stage
with repetition to develop memory from the STM to WM.
3.3 Procedure
The section below expounds how can be using website for
procedure Working memory tests and determine and
measure of WM by obtain the percentage of abilities.
When they had solved all 40 questions, the results were
shown to them.
Figure 1: sign up page
 Starting the test:
The test start page is shown in Figure 2 and this page contains
a sign-in form and the button that directs the user to the sign-
in form, and on the left-hand side when clicked then some
instructions that contain some of examples of the test appear.
Also, the taker had to select the type of payment such as Visa
or licence number for admin validation purposes, as shown in
Figure 3.
Figure 2. Test start page
Figure 3. Test start page
Captions should be Times New Roman 9-point bold. They
should be numbered (e.g., “Table 1” or “Figure 2”), please
note that the word for Table and Figure are spelled out.
Figure’s captions should be centered beneath the image or
picture, and Table captions should be centered above the table
body.
Sign-up:
On this page, the user was required to fill in the registration
form and create an account before he/she started the test, as
shown in Figure 1.
Test page:
Now after the taker number is entered at the bottom, click
next and click on start the test (see Figures 4, 5). The test page
contains the test and displays a set of questions and every
question were displayed a set of pictures sequentially for 3

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seconds. Each time a new picture appeared the more difficulty
(increased number of options and shapes) so as to make them
more focused on thing, place, shape, meaning they could
answer more questions and arrive at a time of higher stage
with repetition to develop memory from the STM to WM (see
Figures 5-13). After answering all 40 questions, the system
then calculated the correct answers and displayed two results:
the number of correct answers and the percentage depending
on the age entry for the user. Also, advice was displayed
about the result of the test concerning WM (see Figure 14).
Figure 4: Enter licence number page
Figure 5: Start the test page
Figure 6: The beginning of the test
Figure 7: Two images of fruit appear
Figure 8: A flower and a fish are displayed
Figure 9: The final two images are shown
Figure 10: Answer questions
Figure 11: Click answer for picture 1

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Figure 14: the results of the WM test after answering all questions
4. Results
Based on an analysis of the answers, the authors found that
Twenty three participants who had the low score (the number
of correct answers being less than to the mean). This excepts
thirty-six participants who had the high score (the number of
correct answers being greater than or equal to the mean). The
mean of correct answers for all participants was = 26.3, SD=
4.8 (see Table 1). The correct answers of participants divided
into three percentiles were aggregated as follows: see Table 2.
1) <= 25% (11 participants that had the correct answers
within the [<= 25%] percentile interval.
2) >25%-50% (19 participants that had the correct answers
within the [>25%-50%] percentile interval.
within the [>50%-75%] percentile interval.
4) >75% (9 participants that had the correct answers within
the [>75%] percentile interval.
5. Discussion
In discussing the results cited the following themes were
evident:
1) <= 25% (11 participants that had the correct answers
within the [<= 25%] percentile interval. Advice for students:
Taking action to increase brain skills is a crisis intervention to
not only improve limited capabilities but make higher levels
of skill an attainable option.
within the [>25%-50% ] percentile interval. Advice for
students: Taking action to increase brain skills is a critical
need to overcome definite weakness, alter mental abilities and
allow their capabilities to grow.
within the [>50%-75%] percentile interval. Advice for
students: Taking action to increase brain skills is a priority
based upon personal goals.
4) >75% (9 participants that had the correct answers within
the [>75%] percentile. Advice for students: Taking action to
increase brain skills is a critical need to overcome definite
weakness, alter mental abilities and allow their capabilities to
grow.

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6. Conclusion
This paper discussed that impairments of working memory are
closely associated with learning deficits, as well as daily
classroom activities.Without early intervention, memory
deficits cannot be made up over time and will continue to
compromise individual’s likelihood of academic success. The
results may be useful in evaluating their problems, as well as
helping them to reduce memory-related failures that lie at the
root of substantial learning difficulties, and thus improving
the WM is strongly recommended.
7. Future work
There are many areas that can make the system more efficient
by adding greater functionality. For example:
 Activation of payment procedures online by
providing payment services such as PayPal, credit
card and Visa, etc.
 We used this test on elementary and Bachelor’s
level students. We hope to apply this test to all
levels of education, and to male subjects, too.
 Implementing a smart phone app.
 The system could be applied at a Saudi university
for improve learning.
8. Acknowledgments
We would like to thank N.Sight Brain Training and
Consultation Centre for supporting and helping in the
research.
9. References
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