Memória de Trabalho Infantil: Informatização de uma Tarefa Avaliativa

Abstract

Working memory is the ability that enables people to keep information in the "mind" and work with it. The objectives of this study were 1) to present the TIMTraC informatization process and 2) to analyze the performance in working memory of children between five and 11 years old through this task. In study 1, the TIMTRaC was informatized with the use of GameMaker and its suitability was evaluated qualitatively from the application with a small sample group (N = 20). Modifications were made to improve the task. In study 2, participated 224 children from public and private schools (M = 8.12 years; SD = 1.72) participated, the children's performances were analyzed using the IBM SPSS Statistics 21 Software, according to gender, age, school year, reading ability, presence of school difficulties, types of school support, out-of-school study time, prior computer access, and family income. No differences were found according to gender, out-of-school study time, previous computer access, or family income. It was observed that the performance of the children in the TIMTraC improves as the age and the school year advance. In addition, the reading children, those who do not have school difficulties, and those who usually do the homework alone have performed better in this task. This study contributes to the presentation of a informatized task that assesses the ability of Working Memory in children, which is related to school performance. This task can contribute to the early detection and intervention of children who present deficits in this ability, so that they do not have future school impairment.