Virtual Intervention Programme to Improve the Working Memory and Basic Mathematical Skills in Early Childhood Education

Abstract

The present work proposes as the main objective the design and implementation of a virtual educational intervention programme, based on interactive learning through gesture play, to improve working memory and basic mathematical skills. In addition, the results were compared with those of the application of the programme in paper and pencil format. A factorial design of repeated measurements was used with an inter-group factor (control, paper and pencil and technology) and an intra-group factor (pretest–postest). As dependent variables, the visuospatial memory width provided by the Corsi Test was used, as well as the individual results according to the scale, and the total number of successes in the Test for the Diagnosis of Basic Mathematical Competences (TEDI-MATH). Ninety children between the ages of 5 and 6 participated and were distributed in three groups of 30 subjects: one group to which the programme was applied in virtual format, another to which the programme was applied in paper and pencil format and a control group without treatment. The results showed improvements in both working memory and basic mathematical skills in the two groups that received the intervention versus the control group. Therefore, it seems that it is the structure and content of the tasks and not so much the resources used that are responsible for the changes observed.