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EDULEARN24
EDULEARN25 Proceedings
17th International Conference on Education and New Learning Technologies
Palma, Spain. 6/30~7/2, 2025.
NESEP Conference/Competition ISBN: 979-8-89480-847-5
ISBN 2: 979-8-89480-848-2
Annual Conference
Publisher: NESEP

The Effect of Age on Short-Term Memory: In-Person and Online
by Grace Kuriakose

October 22, 2024

 

Abstract: Memory is in the hippocampus, the center for learning. With increasing age, the hippocampus has fewer neuronal connections leading to weaker memory. 65% of adults 65+ suffer with memory. 1% progress onto serious impairments. Previous studies suggest age hinders memory, however, it’s not well understood how short-term memory assessment methods (i.e. in-person vs. online) varies across age. This study investigated whether age affected short-term memory in an in-person versus an online setting. This study gathered 10 individuals across three age groups, ages 12-15 (n=5), 42-52 (n=3), and 72-76 (n=2). To assess short-term memory, an in-person and online exam were conducted. The in-person exam was a matching game where 20 matching pairs were laid in front of participants. Participants had 20 seconds to memorize the card’s location, until flipped over. The participants had to find the most pairs in 30 seconds. The online test analyzed working memory through remembering numbers. The 12-15 age group had an average of 3.7 cards remembered on the in-person exam, compared to averages of 2.1 and 2.7 cards from the middle and older groups, respectively. The 42-52 age group had an average of 100.3 on the online exam compared to averages of 94.6 and 66.5 points from the younger and older groups, respectively. These findings suggest younger people have better visual memory, but middle-aged people have better working memory. This data could lead to a better understanding of neurological conditions across all ages such as Dementia.

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