Interleaved Practice May Not Be Effective for Working Memory Replenishment

• In Event: AERA Poster Session 9
  In Poster Session: Supporting Learning Through Fundamental Cognitive Processes

Abstract

Cognitive load theory (CLT) suggests that working memory (WM) resources may be depleted after intensive cognitive activities but could be restored after a period without or with light cognitive activities. According to a recent CLT study, this mechanism may explain why spaced practice is more effective than massed practice. We investigated whether this WM resources depletion/replenishment mechanism could also account for the positive effects of interleaving practice on learning by comparing it to blocked (massed) practice. Results indicated that interleaved practice does not influence replenishing WM resources on immediate WM tests. These results suggest that the interleaving and spacing effects may have different underlying cognitive mechanisms.

Authors

• Ouhao Chen, National Institute of Education - Nanyang Technological University

• Juan Cristobal Castro-Alonso, Universidad de Chile, Center for Advanced Research in Education

• Endah Retnowati, Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta

• Jian Ann Wong, Nanyang Technological University

• Fred Paas, Erasmus University Rotterdam