Article about n-back and working memory training in psychology today
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XFMQ902SF
Mar 29, 2012, 1:17:35 PM3/29/12
to Dual N-Back, Brain Training & Intelligence
Educators have known for some time that it is possible to train ADHD
children to have better working memories, and in the process improve
their school performance. The idea that working memory capacity might
be expanded by training normal children has not yet caught on. Test-
driven teaching in U.S. schools teaches students what to learn, not
how to learn.
Researchers in Japan recently tested whether a simple working memory
training method could increase the working memory capacity of
children. While they were at it, they tested for any effect on IQ.
Children ages 6-8 were trained 10 minutes a day each day for two
months. The training task to expand working memory capacity consisted
of presenting a digit or a word item for a second, with one-second
intervals between items. For example, a sequence might be 5, 8, 4, 7,
with one-second intervals between each digit. Test for recall could
take the form of "Where in the sequence was the 4?" or "What was the
3rd item?" Thus students had to practice holding the item sequence in
working memory. With practice, the trainers increased the number of
items from 3 to 8.
After training, researchers tested the children on another working
memory task. Scores on this test indicated in all children that
working memory correlated with IQ test scores. When first graders were
tested for intelligence, the data showed that intelligence scores
increased during the year by 6% in controls, but increased by 9% in
the group that had been given the memory training. The memory training
effect was even more evident in the second graders, with a 12% gain in
intelligence score in the memory trained group, compared with a 6%
gain in controls. As might be expected, the lower IQ children showed
the greatest gain from memory training.
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/memory-medic/201203/training-working-memory-why-and-how
children to have better working memories, and in the process improve
their school performance. The idea that working memory capacity might
be expanded by training normal children has not yet caught on. Test-
driven teaching in U.S. schools teaches students what to learn, not
how to learn.
Researchers in Japan recently tested whether a simple working memory
training method could increase the working memory capacity of
children. While they were at it, they tested for any effect on IQ.
Children ages 6-8 were trained 10 minutes a day each day for two
months. The training task to expand working memory capacity consisted
of presenting a digit or a word item for a second, with one-second
intervals between items. For example, a sequence might be 5, 8, 4, 7,
with one-second intervals between each digit. Test for recall could
take the form of "Where in the sequence was the 4?" or "What was the
3rd item?" Thus students had to practice holding the item sequence in
working memory. With practice, the trainers increased the number of
items from 3 to 8.
After training, researchers tested the children on another working
memory task. Scores on this test indicated in all children that
working memory correlated with IQ test scores. When first graders were
tested for intelligence, the data showed that intelligence scores
increased during the year by 6% in controls, but increased by 9% in
the group that had been given the memory training. The memory training
effect was even more evident in the second graders, with a 12% gain in
intelligence score in the memory trained group, compared with a 6%
gain in controls. As might be expected, the lower IQ children showed
the greatest gain from memory training.
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/memory-medic/201203/training-working-memory-why-and-how
hwnwhaler
Mar 29, 2012, 1:38:45 PM3/29/12
to Dual N-Back, Brain Training & Intelligence
Fantastic information!
Now how to apply this type of training to my 5, 11, 13, and 14 year
olds. DnB training would be and is good for the older 3 but the 5 is
just not really able to do what we do here. Even the older 3 are not
interested because it is not "fun" enough like the video games they
are used to. I really like the training concept used as mentioned.
Anyone know of any games, apps, etc... similar to what was used as
mentioned?
> http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/memory-medic/201203/training-work...
Now how to apply this type of training to my 5, 11, 13, and 14 year
olds. DnB training would be and is good for the older 3 but the 5 is
just not really able to do what we do here. Even the older 3 are not
interested because it is not "fun" enough like the video games they
are used to. I really like the training concept used as mentioned.
Anyone know of any games, apps, etc... similar to what was used as
mentioned?
Zaraki
Mar 29, 2012, 1:54:47 PM3/29/12
to Dual N-Back, Brain Training & Intelligence
The information would have been more fantastic if he had provided
names for those Japanese researchers, or mentioned Jaeggi amongst the
sources when he obviously refers to her.
Anyhow, does anyone know how large the groups were?
whaler: I think Sudoku can really challenge WM on higher levels.
Manipulation and updating is also necessary, but I don't know if there
has been any research on it.
names for those Japanese researchers, or mentioned Jaeggi amongst the
sources when he obviously refers to her.
Anyhow, does anyone know how large the groups were?
whaler: I think Sudoku can really challenge WM on higher levels.
Manipulation and updating is also necessary, but I don't know if there
has been any research on it.
hwnwhaler
Mar 29, 2012, 4:09:12 PM3/29/12
to Dual N-Back, Brain Training & Intelligence
Agreed on Sudoku. I really don't play it but I know I should find time
to try for my self and actually getting the older kids playing as
well. I am thinking of something for my 5 year old. He seems to almost
be on his way to possibly being diagnosed with ADHD, very bad focus
and concentration, though a very smart kid. Being this is my 4th and
am around alot of kids, I have a little bit of experience with kids
learning habits.
Zaraki - really appreciate the suggestion and your other comments
through here are also very helpful!
to try for my self and actually getting the older kids playing as
well. I am thinking of something for my 5 year old. He seems to almost
be on his way to possibly being diagnosed with ADHD, very bad focus
and concentration, though a very smart kid. Being this is my 4th and
am around alot of kids, I have a little bit of experience with kids
learning habits.
Zaraki - really appreciate the suggestion and your other comments
through here are also very helpful!
Attila
Mar 29, 2012, 11:48:34 PM3/29/12
to Dual N-Back, Brain Training & Intelligence
> Now how to apply this type of training to my 5, 11, 13, and 14 year
> olds. DnB training would be and is good for the older 3 but the 5 is
> just not really able to do what we do here. Even the older 3 are not
> interested because it is not "fun" enough like the video games they
> are used to.
far has been a huge hit with all my play testers. Yesterday my friends
4 year old learned how to play in a matter of minutes and was even
calling out 4 back with quad stimulus by the end of the night. His 2
kids liked it so much he had to force them to go to bed an hour after
their bedtime :) I'm almost done making the printable version fully
legal (all original artwork) and should be posting it on here by next
weekend for people to play
XFMQ902SF
Mar 30, 2012, 6:03:22 AM3/30/12
to Dual N-Back, Brain Training & Intelligence
General fluid intelligence (gF) is a major component of intellect in
both adults and children. Whereas its neural substrates have been
studied relatively thoroughly in adults, those are poorly understood
in children, particularly preschoolers. Here, we hypothesized that gF
and visuospatial working memory share a common neural system within
the lateral prefrontal cortex (LPFC) during the preschool years (4–6
years). At the behavioral level, we found that gF positively and
significantly correlated with abilities (especially accuracy) in
visuospatial working memory. Optical topography revealed that the LPFC
of preschoolers was activated and deactivated during the visuospatial
working memory task and the gF task. We found that the spatio-temporal
features of neural activity in the LPFC were similar for both the
visuospatial working memory task and the gF task. Further, 2 months of
training for the visuospatial working memory task significantly
increased gF in the preschoolers. These findings suggest that a common
neural system in the LPFC is recruited to improve the visuospatial
working memory and gF in preschoolers. Efficient recruitment of this
neural system may be important for good performance in these functions
in preschoolers, and behavioral training using this system would help
to increase gF at these ages.
http://www.springerlink.com/content/g0h66mg74225w823/
This is probably the study referenced in the article.
both adults and children. Whereas its neural substrates have been
studied relatively thoroughly in adults, those are poorly understood
in children, particularly preschoolers. Here, we hypothesized that gF
and visuospatial working memory share a common neural system within
the lateral prefrontal cortex (LPFC) during the preschool years (4–6
years). At the behavioral level, we found that gF positively and
significantly correlated with abilities (especially accuracy) in
visuospatial working memory. Optical topography revealed that the LPFC
of preschoolers was activated and deactivated during the visuospatial
working memory task and the gF task. We found that the spatio-temporal
features of neural activity in the LPFC were similar for both the
visuospatial working memory task and the gF task. Further, 2 months of
training for the visuospatial working memory task significantly
increased gF in the preschoolers. These findings suggest that a common
neural system in the LPFC is recruited to improve the visuospatial
working memory and gF in preschoolers. Efficient recruitment of this
neural system may be important for good performance in these functions
in preschoolers, and behavioral training using this system would help
to increase gF at these ages.
http://www.springerlink.com/content/g0h66mg74225w823/
This is probably the study referenced in the article.
hwnwhaler
Mar 30, 2012, 1:40:47 PM3/30/12
to Dual N-Back, Brain Training & Intelligence
Attila,
Thank you!! Very much look forward to trying out your game. Will post
feedback here as we progress.
XFMQ,
Though I have been having a bit of hard time progressing with my DnB
training, I do belive there is a lot of benifit to be had. I think a
similar method geared more towards younger minds would have
significantly greater impact and the kids that play. I think I am
concurring with what you said, but your explanation is so much more
eloquent. If I did not quite get what you wrote, please bear with me
as I am only a construction superintendent, baseball coach, and
concerned father, not quite on the intellectual level as some on this
forum. Thanks!!
Thank you!! Very much look forward to trying out your game. Will post
feedback here as we progress.
XFMQ,
Though I have been having a bit of hard time progressing with my DnB
training, I do belive there is a lot of benifit to be had. I think a
similar method geared more towards younger minds would have
significantly greater impact and the kids that play. I think I am
concurring with what you said, but your explanation is so much more
eloquent. If I did not quite get what you wrote, please bear with me
as I am only a construction superintendent, baseball coach, and
concerned father, not quite on the intellectual level as some on this
forum. Thanks!!
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