Ubiquitous Learning and Instructional Technologies MOOC’s Updates
Essential Peer Reviewed Update #1: Jungle Memory
ungle Memory is a game designed by Tracy and Ross Alloway, Ph.D respectively to assist children ages 8 to 16 with ADHD to improve their short term memory and executive function skills. The game is located at https://junglememory.com . Each game is multi-level to provide educational material at the appropriate age. Whenever the child player answers the question correctly, the monkey does not fall into the quicksand. The games are designed to help children with learning disabilities and ADHD train develop skills for spatial recognition, processing letters and words, and enhance working memory with math. This was one of the first online games which focused on skill development in the area of the working brain and executive functions.
Addressing and enhancing cognitive working memory skills has not been explored or emphasized in the traditional educational system in the U.S., which instead focuses its learning on the transfer of knowledge to a student in a face-to-face setting. While there are conflicting studies as to the efficacy of using Jungle Memory ( or a similarly designed software game), improving the working memory appears to improve retention of mathematics, with at least one study indicating improved math scores when Jungle Memory is used prior to the math lesson. Jungle Memory is a tool that can be incorporated into a classroom setting and can be assigned to those students with learning or ADHD challenges just prior to a reading or math class as a memory assistance increasing the likelihood that those students will create a long term memory of the knowledge presented in the classroom.
Nelwan, M., & Kroesbergen, E.H. (2016). Limited Near and Far Transfer Effects of Jungle Memory Working Memory Training on Learning Mathematics in Children with Attentional and Mathematical Difficulties.Front. Psychol. Accessed on March 14, 2020 from, https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Limited-Near-and-Far-Transfer-Effects-of-Jungle-on-Nelwan-Kroesbergen/c4772c8fb4cf5b7bcbb84b7416df4a37c07129ef
Thank you for sharing. Games are very important in learning process. They can encourage students to be creative and think for themselves and be at the center of that game. And they can encourage skill development, and especially in scenarios or simulation kind of experiences. As games are designed to help children with learning disabilities, it is also possible to modify them accordint to their needs.