I found this software program that is supposed to increase your short term memory by practicing memorizing strings of numbers. There are six exercises. First is visual, where you are given ten seconds or so to look at a string of numbers on the screen and then type in what you saw after they disappear. In the second exercise, the program speaks the numbers. The third exercise is like the first except you must type in the numbers in reverse order from how they are presented. The fourth exercise is like the third but the numbers are given audibly. In the fifth exercise, the numbers are flashed visually one at a time instead of all at once like the first and third exercises. The sixth exercise is like the second but the numbers are spoken with random speed and random pauses. Each level starts out showing 3 numbers and increases the amount of numbers you need to recite as you pass each level. The goal is to increase the amount of numbers you can hold in your short term memory. You aren't supposed to use any mnemonic tricks as you are doing this, you are supposed to drill your core short term memory.

The software company claims that it takes many hours of practice to achieve any real results and it's recommended to spend 20 minutes a day doing this. I'm wondering, how effective do you guys think something like this could be and would it be worth spending the time practicing. This program isn't really for getting better at remembering things, memory systems would be better for that. What they claim is that by increasing your core short term memory, your overall cognition will increase as you will able to hold more pieces of data in your mind at a given time.

Thoughts on this?

What is the name of this software?

Brain Builder

I can't comment as to how effective the program would be on its own, but I can offer a suggestion as how to improve very quickly. Research the "Major" method. It's a memory system that assists in memorizing numbers. It can be used just like a peg system as well. If the program is just doing sequences of numbers, I really think that they are over-selling what the program will do for you. Number sequences alone are not going to improve "mental organization" and "emotional intelligence."

And just because I'm criticizing its purported benefits doesn't mean the programs not worthwhile. Just don't expect it to turn you into an instant genius even if you master it.

Sounds like a boring way to spend 20 minutes to me. Working with numbers doing something useful would be more fun.