Open AccessWorking memory: effects of its training based on multimedia routines
Author(s) -
Ismael Esquivel Gámez
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
apertura
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1665-6180
pISSN - 2007-1094
DOI - 10.32870/ap.v13n1.1941
Subject(s) - working memory , test (biology) , multimedia , sample (material) , elaboration , computer science , cognitive training , control (management) , psychology , cognitive psychology , cognition , domain (mathematical analysis) , mathematics education , artificial intelligence , humanities , paleontology , mathematical analysis , philosophy , chemistry , mathematics , chromatography , neuroscience , biology
The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the impact of a training program on the level of working memory in a sample of university students. For this, a quasi-experimental study with an active control group was implemented in 29 students of basic teaching and computer systems, applying complex span tasks before and after the intervention. For training, multimedia routines were used for the experimental group and an academic essay elaboration workshop for the control group. The pre-test confirmed intergroup statistical equality for all the measurements used and the post-test, in favor of the experimental group, detected significant difference and large effect size in visuospatial memory and non-significant with medium size, for verbal memory. Additionally, the Raven’s Matrices test was applied to determine effects of training on intelligence, finding no significant difference. Therefore, it is concluded that training based on multimedia routines did not generate gains in intelligence or in working memory, in its verbal domain, although it did in its visual-spatial domain. However, the results must be taken with reservations, due to the limitation represented by the size of the sample, which, if corrected in future interventions, may enrich the findings on the means to improve working memory.