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Working Memory Underpins Cognitive Development, Learning, and Education

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Cowan, Nelson·2014·Educational Psychology Review
DOI 10.1007/s10648-013-9246-y
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Abstract

Working memory is the retention of a small amount of information in a readily accessible form. It facilitates planning, comprehension, reasoning, and problem solving. I examine the historical roots and conceptual development of the concept and the theoretical and practical implications of current debates about working memory mechanisms. Then, I explore the nature of cognitive developmental improvements in working memory, the role of working memory in learning, and some potential implications of working memory and its development for the education of children and adults. The use of working memory is quite ubiquitous in human thought, but the best way to improve education using what we know about working memory is still controversial. I hope to provide some directions for research and educational practice.

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Metadata

Authors
Cowan, N.
Venue
Educational Psychology Review
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2013-12-03
Volume
26
Issue
2
Pages
197-223
ISSN
  • 1040-726X (ISSN-L)
  • 1573-336X
DOI
10.1007/s10648-013-9246-y
OpenAlex
W2043822938
Cited by
852
References
29
FWCI
20.12
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
green
Licence
www.springer.com/tdm (tdm)

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