Abstract

LOPEZ, Magdalena. Academic performance: relationship with working memory. Rev. Actual. Investig. Educ [online]. 2013, vol.13, n.3, pp.168-186. ISSN 1409-4703.

This article aims to study the relationship of the components of working memory, with academic performance in language and mathematics of 8 and 9 years old children, schooled in 3rd  grade of elementary school.  In  order  to  evaluate  each  of  the  investigated  variables,  54  students  took  a  test  that  evaluated independently each component of the working memory through two sub tests of the WISC III test: digits in forward and reverse order and the Rey´s complex figures test. The academic performance was obtained from the final grades of the three quarters, once the school year was finished. The results show that the central executive component is the significant predictor of performance in language (R2= .21; p = .000) and mathematics (R2= .27; p = .000) in students culminating the 3rd year of primary level. These data are discussed in relation to a better understanding of academic performance and the generation of new ideas that help reverse the problem of school failure.

Keywords : academic performance; school failure; components of working memory; language; mathematics; Argentina.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in Spanish     · Spanish ( pdf )