Our brains are always sorting, storing, and retrieving information it has filed away for later. It’s a busy job, and there’s a heavy load on our storage system so it can be normal for things to not always work the way we intend.
But not all memory loss is normal. Sometimes, memory loss can be linked to other causes that signal a bigger issue.
A person may never have developed a strong working memory that moves short-term information to long-term storage. This affects math skills, attention and focus, and reading comprehension. It can affect social skills in that a person repeats what they just said or asked. A head injury, stroke, or chemotherapy can suppress memory. The good news is that we now know working memory can be improved.
© Can Stock Photo / kentoh
Working Memory is your ability to keep information mentally online. You use it to keep plans for what to do next, to retrieve relevant information when solving problems, to learn, to understand long paragraphs, such as keeping the beginning of the sentence in mind when you reach the end of it. Controlling attention and straining your working memory are closely related. Up until the 1990’s, scientist believe that you’re working memory was fixed, and could never be changed. But since then a vast number of studies has shown that it is indeed possible to expand your working memory through the Cogmed program.
How does Cogmed work?
With the help of our Cogmed Coach, we tailor your practice to suit you and your family. The possibilities range from a low 20 minutes per day to intensive 50-minute sessions, 3-5 days a week.
The training is ideally carried out on the computer, however, can be completed on a smartphone or a tablet. The training consists of a series of short exercises that forces the person to push the limits of their visual and auditory working memory. Doing the training can be fun, and at times frustratingly challenging.
The exercises are carefully designed, to challenge the attention and working memory of the person training. As the trainee gets better at an exercise, the level of difficulty increases. The program is adaptive to ensure the training is kept at the optimal level of effort.
U CAN LEARN provides weekly reports with rewards sent to the child as his/her progress increases. Adults have the satisfaction of seeing their progress in the report.
For more information about Cogmed training and research, follow this link –> https://www.cogmed.com/training