Using Working Memory to Boost Learning and Retention

Shannen Doherty
Trust teacher development lead, curriculum lead, maths specialist and author.

Webinar

50 min

Rated 5 stars

79 reviews

This webinar will provide you with a detailed understanding of how working memory – the ability to hold a limited amount of information in our minds and work with it for a short period of time – is integral to the formation of long-term memory and therefore to the whole process of learning.
CPD Certified
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For: Teachers, Teaching Assistants 

Aim: This webinar will provide you with a detailed understanding of how working memory – the ability to hold a limited amount of information in our minds and work with it for a short period of time – is integral to the formation of long-term memory and therefore to the whole process of learning. 

Why this webinar’s important: Many learners can struggle with working memory and memory overload, as well as what’s termed cognitive load (the amount of information we can usefully deal with at any one time). It’s massively helpful for educators to have a full understanding how the human brain’s ability to process and recollect information works – and how, in classroom situations, tasks can be broken down and segmented to help ensure that working memory is indeed being used to facilitate long-term learning.

Outcome 1:

Gaining a deeper understanding of the learning process – from attention to working memory to long-term memory – and how learning is transferred

Outcome 2:

Identifying some common pitfalls and limitations of working memory

Outcome 3:

Recognising ways to secure attention, in preparation for transference into working memory

Outcome 4:

Considering practical steps you can take to support the progression from working memory to long-term memory

Outcome 5:

Building a greater awareness of effective strategies to increase fluency and aid recall

Shannen Doherty

Shannen is the teacher development lead at Aquinas Church of England Education Trust and an assistant headteacher working across schools in Bromley and East Sussex. 

She is an accredited Walkthrus trainer and an instructional coach, and she enjoys working with schools and trusts across the country on implementing Walkthrus and coaching in their settings. Shannen has facilitated and coached participants on the NPQSL and NPQLT for the Church of England. 

Shannen is an experienced primary teacher who has worked across three London boroughs and still teaches part-time as she believes that to coach, train, and lead fellow teachers she needs to stay in the classroom for as long as possible. 

She has led curriculum, ensuring that all subjects maintain their own integrity and progression as well as optimising the use of meaningful curricular links. She has led maths, science, geography, computing, and PSHE in different schools and has worked across KS1 and KS2. 

While leading maths, Shannen trained with the NCETM as a mastery specialist and has worked with schools on improving teaching and learning in maths. She has worked with Oak National Academy as an expert advisor for maths and as a resource creator for Dr Frost Learning. She is also the author of ‘100 ideas for primary teachers: maths’ and has written for TES and HWRK magazines.

good pace, good tone, good facts, easy to follow
Teaching Assistant - Quorn Hall School
Refreshed my mind on a lot of skills that can sometimes become intrinsic.
Teacher - Stocks Lane Primary School
this was very helpful i learnt alot of new skills from using this
Crompton House CofE School (OL27HS)
Very useful and interesting webinar
Crompton House CofE School (OL27HS)
Very clear and concise
Teacher - Holy Trinity Catholic School B10 0AX
Informative and well delivered
Crompton House CofE School (OL27HS)
It was informative to hear the theory and research behind the things we put into place in school for our children
Teacher - Stocks Lane Primary School
Great examples and helpful tips for the classroom
Teacher - Canons High School
Informative and succinct
Teacher - Holy Trinity Catholic School B10 0AX
Using Working Memory to Boost Learning and Retention
Teaching Assistant - Heston Primary School
Comprehensive and chunked well.
Teacher - Holy Trinity Catholic School B10 0AX
Was very interesting
Teaching Assistant - Stocks Lane Primary School
really good, informative and explained a great deal
Crompton House CofE School (OL27HS)
it was interesting
Crompton House CofE School (OL27HS)
Useful tips to help with learners retention. Thanks
Teacher - Stocks Lane Primary School
Really helpful.
Teacher - Stocks Lane Primary School
Really useful pointers and reminders to help children reach their full potential with their learning.
Crompton House CofE School (OL27HS)
very informative and helpful
Crompton House CofE School (OL27HS)
Really enjoyed listening to the information presented in this webinar.
Crompton House CofE School (OL27HS)
I have learnt lots from today’s course. Valuable information I will use in the classroom.
Crompton House CofE School (OL27HS)
learnt a lot
Other - East Coast College
informative
Emirates American School, Sharjah
interesting
Teacher - Cambridge Academy Ethiopia
Very interesting and thought provoking
Teaching Assistant - Bursley Academy