This Thinking Skill focuses on memory-in-action — the ability to remember and use relevant information while in the middle of an activity. For example, a student is using his Working Memory skills when he remembers all of the steps to solving a math word problem. Another example of Working Memory in use is when a student recalls multiple main ideas of a passage she read in order to write a summary.
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Working Memory Skills in the Classroom
Working Memory skills are essential in helping students meet with success in the classroom. The following list outlines some common classroom tasks that require the use of Working Memory skills:
- Following directions (especially those with multiple steps): Following directions requires that students are able to keep multiple pieces of information in mind at the same time. If the directions have multiple steps, students also need to be able to keep track of the correct sequence of activities while trying to remain focused on the overall task.
- Taking notes and recording assignments: Notetaking involves processing a lot of information at once. Students need to listen to what the speaker is saying, look at any visuals provided by the speaker, and transfer these ideas into writing that makes sense to them. This is often a continuous process and students have to use working memory skills in order to follow along successfully.
- Identifying main ideas in text: In order to determine the main ideas of a text, students need to keep track of individual details and determine what all of those details have in common. This, again, involves processing multiple pieces of information at once.
- Using classroom materials and resources when needed: Students use working memory skills when they think to utilize classroom resources to aid them in a task. For example, when encountering an unfamiliar word in a social studies textbook, a student might think to look in the glossary or use a classroom dictionary to look up the word and then continue reading. Similarly, a student might think to keep going back to an essay rubric while she writes in order to make sure she is following the guidelines correctly.
Teaching Working Memory Skills with Digital Media
Games and technologies can be very useful in developing Working Memory skills. For example, reading apps can help students use Working Memory skills to keep track of main ideas and details as they read, which aids in comprehension. Digital media can also help develop working memory skills by providing opportunities to apply learned strategies in new situations. When confronted with new technology, children often use strategies that they have learned from operating familiar technology. For example, when being introduced to a video iPod, they might try pushing buttons that look familar to them because they resemble buttons they have seen on their cell phone.
Within games, there are many requirements to keep current information “in mind” while making a game move. Children frequently need to recall successful activities that they engaged earlier in video games and then reapply them in a new situation or at a different level. Learn more about how game play can help improve Working Memory skills.
Check out our classroom guides for information on how to use specific games and digital technologies to teach Working Memory skills.
Alternative Learning Concerns & Working Memory
Many Alternative Learners struggle to employ Working Memory skills in a variety of classroom tasks. These students need help identifying when they are having working memory problems, as well as practice using different working memory strategies to aid their classroom performance. Our Classroom Guides provide teachers with ideas on how to integrate digital media into instruction in a meaningful and fun way that can help Alternative Learners work on their Working Memory skills.
ADHD & Working Memory
Many students with ADHD typically struggle with tasks requiring them to use Working Memory skills. Because these students also have a difficult time focusing during instruction, they often have trouble recalling information that they learned previously. Many of these students also have trouble keeping track of several different pieces of information at once. When working on a group activity, for example, students with ADHD might miss certain directions or skip important steps in the process without realizing it.They also might have trouble communicating questions they might have because they are struggling to process information.
The nature of a lot of digital media makes it a great tool for teachers to use with students diagnosed with ADHD and other attention issues. Many video games and apps require useers to be actively engaged, paying attention to several different pieces of information at the same time. They are often sequential, meaning students have to follow steps carefully if they want to succeed. Using these technologies in the classroom to teach academic content can be very motivational for students with attention difficulties and can help them practice Working Memory skills.
LD & Working Memory
Students with Learning Disabilities can exhibit struggles with Working Memory. All students learn differently, and the dificulties faced by students with LD will vary based on their individual profiles. Some students might have trouble keeping track of different steps in a math problem. Others might struggle to follow directions that require more than one step. Others might have trouble understanding what they read because they only retained certain parts of the text.
Incorporating digital media in the classroom provides many opportunities for differentiation in order to meet the needs of all students, and to help build Working Memory skills. Our Classroom Guides are great tools to use for teachers of students with Learning Disabilities because they are adaptable, meaning teachers can decide how best to use them based on the individual needs of the students.
Classroom Guides
Our Classroom Guides provide in-depth instructions on using individual games and apps to teach thinking and academic skills in the classroom.
Below you’ll find all of our Classroom Guides available for teaching Working Memory.

Cargo Bridge
Game Type: Educational, Puzzle
Platform/Console: iPad, iPhone, iPod, Online
Thinking Skills: Organization, Planning, Self-Awareness

Cargo Bridge
Game Type: Educational, Puzzle
Platform/Console: iPad, iPhone, iPod, Online
Thinking Skills: Organization, Planning, Self-Awareness

Cargo Bridge
Game Type: Educational, Puzzle
Platform/Console: iPad, iPhone, iPod, Online
Thinking Skills: Organization, Planning, Self-Awareness

Cargo Bridge
Game Type: Educational, Puzzle
Platform/Console: iPad, iPhone, iPod, Online
Thinking Skills: Organization, Planning, Self-Awareness

Cargo Bridge
Game Type: Educational, Puzzle
Platform/Console: iPad, iPhone, iPod, Online
Thinking Skills: Organization, Planning, Self-Awareness