Alloway Working Memory Assessment 2

2. Alloway Working Memory Assessment 2 • Introduction and updates • Alison Winter

3. Agenda • Over view of working memory • AWMA (2007) • Revision goals for AWMA 2 • Test structure • Introduction to AWMA 2 • Q&A Alloway Working Memory Assessment 2 l 2012

4. Working Memory • Working memory refers to a brain system that provides temporary storage and manipulation of the information necessary for such complex cognitive tasks as language comprehension, learning and reasoning. • (Baddeley, 1992) • Associated with reading (Gathercole & Pickering, 2000) and mathematic (Geary et al., 2004) ability • 10-15% of all students have working memory deficits (Alloway et al., 2009) • Children with poor working memory make poor academic progress • Of 300 children with poor working memory (Gathercole & Alloway, 2008): • 83% scored poorly on either reading or maths tests • the vast majority of these scored poorly in both areas Alloway Working Memory Assessment 2 l 2012

5. Automated Working Memory Assessment (2007) • Age range 4-22 • Locally installed (Maximum of 2 computers) • Load on the examiners working memory. • Individual administration. Alloway Working Memory Assessment 2 l 2012

6. Revision goals for AWMA 2 • Increase the age range • Increase user-friendliness • Enhance clinical utility • Improve psychometric properties. Alloway Working Memory Assessment 2 l 2012

7. Increase Age Range • Increase user-friendliness • - Fully automated. • - Number of items per block (6 to 4) • Design on test materials • Completely web-based (greater flexibility) • - Norms increased to 79 yrs Alloway Working Memory Assessment 2 l 2012

8. Enhanced clinical utility Special group studies • Intellectually gifted • Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) • Mathematics Disorder (Dyscalculia) • Reading Disorder (Dyslexia) • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) • Borderline Intellectual Functioning. • Statistical linkage to measure of attainment. Improved psychometric properties • Norms • Item bias Alloway Working Memory Assessment 2 l 2012

9. AWMA 2 - StructureTests included in AWMA 2 Verbal STM Digit Recall Letter Recall Verbal WM Backwards Digit Recall Processing Letter Recall Visuo Spatial STM Dot Matrix Block Recall Visuo Spatial WM Mr X Backwards Dot Matrix Alloway Working Memory Assessment 2 l 2012

10. Test Content New, Retained and Deleted Alloway Working Memory Assessment 2 l 2012

11. Overview AWMA 2 - Author - Tracy Packiam Alloway - Publication Year: 2013 - Age Range: 5 to 79 years - Administration (Individual and group) - Screener: 5 to 7 mins - Short form: 10 to 15 mins - Long form: 30 mins - Qualification Code: CL3 Cost: £175.00 p/a • - Author - Tracy Packiam Alloway • - Publication Year: 2012 • - Age Range: 5 to 79 years • - Administration • Individual - Screener: 5 to 7 mins; Short form: 10 to 15 mins; Long form: 30 mins • - Qualification Code: CL3 • Cost: £175.00 p/a Alloway Working Memory Assessment 2 l 2012

12. AWMA 2 - Structure • There are three versions of AWMA-2: • AWMA-2 Screener: two working memory tests, suitable for screening WM difficulties. • AWMA-2 Short Form: four tests; recommended to screen individuals who are suspected to have memory difficulties, but the specific area of • their difficulties is not known • AWMA-2 Long Form: all eight tests; recommended for confirmation of significant working memory problems Alloway Working Memory Assessment 2 l 2012

13. Alloway Working Memory Assessment 2 l 2012

14. Q&A Alloway Working Memory Assessment 2 l 2012

15. Thankyou