This one we need when performing an activity/work, as suggested by its name.
It combines information that we extract from the long-term memory and the information stored in the short-term memory, which is related to what we’re doing at the moment. As an example, let’s take calculating of a more complex math problem (35x7), or taking notes during the teacher’s explanation. In the former example, we should first separate the calculation into several parts, while still remembering the original assignment, the part we have already calculated and the part we have not, we must also remember the multiplication tables and the operation sequence that we had learned earlier. People with a weakened working memory may find themselves in a situation when, before they calculate 5x7, they forget what their previous result was, or being absorbed by calculating 30x7, they forget what the original task was, so they might write down only the result of that calculation and not realize that this is not the final answer. When taking down notes, we need to remember what the teacher said, while at the same time registering what he or she is saying at the moment, and moreover to apply different grammar rules in our notes, think about the rules of word order and a variety of signs and abbreviations, which would express what was said, and combine all of this in our notes.
Some individuals with dyslexia have problems with performing such memory-related work. Therefore, it is important for them to intentionally train working memory (see the activities in the game), but to also know how to avoid complete reliance on memory. Use a voice recorder instead of taking notes or find out where you can find the specific material in the textbook, so it would be enough to write down only some important information when working on something more complicated; in such cases it is advisable to continuously record the intermediate results, what has been done and so on.
Tip: Train your workflows! Before you start doing something, repeat to yourself everything you have to do and what you must not forget. Say to yourself: “First of all, ...”, “Secondly, ...”, “Then, ...”, etc.
