Working Memory

Working memory is the system that holds information in mind and allows you to work with it - to manipulate, transform, and integrate information. When you listen to someone give you a phone number and hold it in your head before dialing, that's working memory. When a child reads a sentence and holds the beginning in mind while processing the end to understand the whole meaning, that's working memory. Working memory has limited capacity - typically able to hold about 4-7 pieces of information for a few seconds - and requires active attention. This is why cognitive load is so important: overload working memory with too much information, and learning breaks down. Working memory is distinct from long-term memory (where information is stored for later retrieval). Strong working memory supports success in many domains - math (holding multiple numbers and operations in mind), reading (remembering what was said earlier in a sentence or passage), and problem-solving (maintaining awareness of what you're trying to solve while exploring solutions). Working memory can be improved through practice, particularly with activities that require holding and manipulating information.