Talk:Rote learning

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"However, in many fields, especially mathematics, this can often produce poor results."

Im curious, can you explain what the dangers of rote learning are in full detail, particially mathamatics.

Sean "Phr34k" Feica says: Rote learning is often used in many types of tribal music, where a standard form of musical notation was not used. In example, African Tribes would have events for the change in weather or various other special things. The tribe leader would show the different members of the tribe the parts of the piece to be performed.

As to why the use in mathematical, or any scientific based study, does not work is simple. When a subject has a specific process that can be calculated in only a few ways, simple memorization will not usually help, as there are too many variables that could be changed at any given time (thus voiding the use of memorization). In example, if you were taught that 2 + 2 = 4, and were not taught HOW (or WHY) 2 + 2 equals 4, then you would not understand the mathematical concepts behind adding amounts together. Thus, you would not be able to apply that knowledge to 3 + 3, or 25 + 562. In mathematics, theory takes precedence over memorization.

That may indeed be true, but memorising a theorem would probably be not all that difficult. --GatesPlusPlus 16:09, 1 December 2005 (UTC)
Having taught mathematics privately, I can say that when a student simply memorizes a given presentation of a formulae instead of trying to understand it, they most often lack the ability to recognize it when it's altered even in the slightest of ways - like for example, written with different variable names! At that point I usually point out the essence of what is learned, remind them to disregard the superficialities (like the said variable names) and teach them to look at the issue from various angles. After showing few occurences where the formulae can be found as a part of a greater structure, they usually give up on trying to simply memorize it, and focus on understanding it instead. After that point, they can recognize the formula from almost anywhere. Of course, this is just a beginning of learning to use a concept properly, but it shows how understanding makes it much easier to adapt to varying circumstances when compared to simple memorization of an issue. Santtus 12:53, 27 December 2005 (UTC)
Learning basic arithmetic computations is something we need as a base, something that is instantly retrievable. It could be argued that the principle behind mulitplication could be taught the same time as rote memory in a way that the student would understand and know both. That said, I would agree that any remarks made in the article should be backed up with reputable sources. Brian Pearson 03:06, 26 November 2006 (UTC)

Contents

[edit] Reasons for rote learning --- comments

This section contains several unsubstantiated statements, and quite a bit that appears to be opinion and/or anecdotal experience of the author(s). I propose removing that section, unless something more substantive can be placed there. --Grinning Fool 04:52, 19 June 2006 (UTC)

removed paragraph about comparison US vs. 3rd world, since it was counterfactual. Just compare literacy to see that this statement cannot be true. Andreask 16:02, 3 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Poorly written

This is a very poorly written article.

  • Wrote memory isn't a proper noun and shouldn't be capitalized.
  • The author drops several articles.
  • The author treats wrote memory like a section of the brain and demonstrates a poor understanding of the concept.
  • "advanced nations like the United States" isn't exactly NPOV

[edit] Why don't we merge these articles?

Wrote Memory is so short it may as well be stub. It should be incorporated into the Rote Learning article as a subsection.

I agree, infact I might even go as far as saying they are basically the same topic, and a merge would be more suitable than making one a subsection of another.

[edit] Wrote memory has been changed to rote memory

I've created links and corrected spelling as well. The reason for the name change was given in the talk section of rote memory. More work needs to be done, especially in the last paragraph. Brian Pearson 02:53, 27 November 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Rote learning improves memory in seniors

Researchers found that seniors who engaged in an intensive period of rote learning followed by an equally long rest period exhibited improved memory and verbal recall.[1]Brian Pearson 04:17, 29 November 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Hands On Science Effectiveness

Although it may be interesting to read about, I fail to see the connection to rote learning. I would like to see an explicit connection made to why this is applicable to rote learning. Otherwise, I believe it should be removed from the article. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 12.47.110.46 (talk) 18:09, 7 May 2007 (UTC).

[edit] US focus?

This page appears to have an American bias...I've flagged it because of it.

Insolectual 00:04, 10 July 2007 (UTC)

It has British spelling. Brian Pearson 03:17, 26 July 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Oppose move

I think cramming and rote learning overlap to an extent, but not sure merging is the best idea. Most of cramming could probably be classified as memorization, but certainly not all. Trying to understand some math concept for the first time right before an exam would be cramming, as would thinking over common questions the day before a big interview. I know the name cramming (memorization) suggests otherwise, but I was planning on changing it. Thoughts? — xDanielx T/C\R 20:18, 16 December 2007 (UTC)


I also oppose the merger. Rote learning refers more broadly to the learning process, while cramming is more of a specific behavior. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 24.60.252.121 (talk) 04:27, 24 January 2008 (UTC)

I also oppose the merger, for the same reasons as above. SmaleDuffin (talk) 17:47, 24 January 2008 (UTC)


[edit] Give rote learning a break

In France, since the early 90s, we've been told again and again that rote learning was all crap, that it was just good for morons, etc... and here are the results : most of 18 year-old flunk exercises that were given to people of the same age 30 years ago, their cultural knowledge is a joke (indeed, they're discouraged from learning dates by rote), their orthograph sucks and even basic mathematics (equation, percentage) are a pain in the ass for them...

I think that this article should not be so biased and should also point out the danger of getting rote learning away. Besides, some studies suggest that an intelligent approach of rote learning can be profitable [2] Mitch1981 (talk) 13:34, 15 March 2008 (UTC)

“ The children now love luxury; they have bad manners, contempt for authority; they allow disrespect for elders and love chatter in place of exercise. Children now are tyrants, not the servants of their households. They no longer rise when eleders enter the room. They contradict their parents,chatter before company, gobble up dainties at the table, cross their legs, and tyrannize their teachers. ”

--Socrates

Maybe that's the reason why Athens lost the war against Sparta. More seriously, I think the "crusade against rote learning" may cost us more than some "crappy old fashionned methods", it could screw up what I think is the very basis of every civilisation : continuity of culture... But after all, who cares? Mitch1981 (talk) 18:29, 23 March 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Merger with cramming

Cramming, rote learning, or memory palace should be a category within the subject "Memory" (or memory technique or memorisation). Rote learning is a technique. Cramming merely refers to attempt at memorisation at short time frame. Both article should be linked to main article such as memory or memorisation or memory technique. Vapour (talk) 09:36, 27 March 2008 (UTC)