During this 90-minute webinar, Dr. Bryan Harris will give attendees an in-depth understanding of what working memory is and how it affects students’ ability to remember and use relevant information while in the middle of an activity. He will illustrate the differences between working memory and short-term memory and define what exactly is held in working memory.
Students with working memory deficit often struggle in school and may exhibit behavior problems. Working memory is a thinking skill that focuses on memory-in-action and has been shown to be negatively impacted by acute and chronic stress. Working memory deficit has been estimated to affect one of every ten students in mainstream classrooms. Even in students with high IQ, working memory deficit can negatively impact academic achievement. It is one of the executive function skills necessary to be successful in school – and in life.
There is evidence that it is possible to improve working memory using interactive tasks and simple games that involve memory ability. Dr. Harris will give viewers strategies to improve working memory function with students in their classes – by reducing cognitive load and building cognitive capacity.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand what working memory is and how it differs from short-term memory
- Gain a working knowledge of how critical working memory is and how it impacts academic success
- Discover what is held is working memory and the limitations of working memory
- Understand how your words and actions as an educator impact students’ working memory
- Gain strategies to help students build working memory by reducing cognitive load
- Master ways to help students build cognitive capacity
About the Presenter:
Bryan Harris, Ed.D. has served as a classroom teacher, an elementary school principal and a district level director. Currently, Dr. Harris works full time as a consultant, speaker, trainer and author. He has trained over 18,000 educators in powerful and effective strategies that increase student engagement and achievement and is known for engaging presentations and trainings that demonstrate relevant and practical strategies. Dr. Harris is the author of five books including the popular Battling Boredom. Dr. Harris earned his doctorate from Bethel University after studying factors impacting new teacher retention.