Validity and reliability of an online visual-spatial working memory task for self-reliant administration in school-aged children

Working memory is an important predictor of academic
performance, and of math performance in particular.
Most working memory tasks depend on one-to-one administration
by a testing assistant, which makes the use of such tasks
in large-scale studies time-consuming and costly. Therefore, an
online, self-reliant visual–spatial working memory task (the
Lion game) was developed for primary school children (6–12
years of age). In two studies, the validity and reliability of the
Lion game were investigated. The results from Study 1 (n =
442) indicated satisfactory six-week test–retest reliability, excellent
internal consistency, and good concurrent and predictive
validity. The results from Study 2 (n = 5,059) confirmed the
results on the internal consistency and predictive validity of the
Lion game. In addition, multilevel analysis revealed that classroom
membership influenced Lion game scores.We concluded
that the Lion game is a valid and reliable instrument for the
online computerized and self-reliant measurement of visual–
spatial working memory (i.e., updating).