Rote Memorization: Is it bad?
Rote memorization is believed to be a powerful process of learning among children. It is believed by some people that rote memorization can improve the learning experience of students.
While rote memorization
Rote Memorization: Is it bad?
Rote memorization is believed to be a powerful process of learning among children. It is believed by some people that rote memorization can improve the learning experience of students.
While rote memorization is approved by some, it is however condemned by others. Some think or feel that rote memorization is bad.
Some feel that the practice is an unhealthy one.
They feel that rote memorization would lead to a poor learning experience.
But what should we think? Is rote memorization as bad as what some may think of it? Could we deem rote memorization as the right learning path to follow?
In a quest to ascertain this, it would be of significance to know what rote memorization entails.
What is Rote Memorization?
Rote memorization is a process of learning or committing something to memory through mechanical repetition, usually by hearing and repeating aloud, often without full attention to comprehension or thought for meaning.
Rote learning can be in other words, seen as cramming
The keywords that I would love you to grasp is learning memory, memorization, repetition, and comprehension.
The goal of rote memorization is learning. In a quest to learn, the use of recitation or repetition is employed. Most times, repetition is done without having to comprehend what is being committed to memory.
In other words, what is being committed to memory may not even be known?
This alone has criticized learning by cramming.
But come to think of it, cramming is capable of letting one commit to memory knowledge accurately.
There is, therefore, an advantage to cramming and also a disadvantage to it.
Let us measure the advantages and disadvantages of cramming more appropriately. By measuring i9t, we would be able to judge it competencies to learning more effectively.
Advantages of Rote Memorization
There are so many advantages to cramming.
Rote memorization truly is an effective way of learning. I would try to be practical when explaining this point.
It is almost an impossible task to train a little child to fully comprehend concepts. If you are a teacher, you would know just what I mean.
In a quest to train the child’s memory, cramming might just be that key.
When children began to consistently recite or repeat certain words or concepts, the more they learn. The more they learn, the more their learning capacity expands.
We can say that cramming is capable of playing an important role in foundational learning.
Rote learning is also very important in preparing the brain for study. The more one tends to engage in the practice, the more the brain tends to be more involved.
I know of some people who are actively involved in the practice of cramming. They find it extremely easy to recite off-hand words for words found within study materials.
They have trained themselves in such a way that the brain finds it easy to assimilate.
These people have always managed to top whatever class they find themselves then.
Rote learning draws its strength from repetition. This is because, the more a thing is being recited, the more it gets stuck to the memory.
So with the help of rote learning, one can find it very easy to remember facts, concepts or whatever things. It makes the process of assimilating faster and easier.
Disadvantages of Rote Memorization
Rote memorization might prove to be very effective but it, however, comes with some disadvantages. One might be able to commit to memory a whole lot of things with the aid of memorization but may not hold a conscious knowledge of what is committed to memory.
This can be very bad. This is because this practice does not encourage in-depth learning.
One might only be able to retain theoretical knowledge with the aid of memorization but the practical aspect of knowledge is absent.
This is more like a case of knowing but no understanding. When there is no understanding, there is no wisdom.
This practice, therefore, kills the sense of problem-solving. It also limits the ability to develop a practical approach to handling situations in one field.
What to do
Now you are aware of the advantages and disadvantages of cramming. What then should be your reaction to this? Should you completely discourage the practice or encourage it?
So many years ago, I came across a boy who uses cramming to pass his exams. He would memorize all the concepts in his book words for words.
He was considered very brilliant. No doubt about that. He was considered very brilliant because he had a sense of problem-solving.
That just it. The exact thing I need you to know.
Meaningful learning combined with cramming could go a long way.
You can repeat words or concepts to commit it to memory. It is, however, a brilliant step to take extra miles in comprehending whatever you are memorizing.
By doing so, you are on your way to success.