Hi Dave:
Well, I think we'll have to disagree. Memorization, IMHO, is a small part of the learning arsenal. Cognitive reasoning, taught at an early age, allows children to not only discern the world better, but to form their own opinions.
I view rote learning as a necessary and extremely inefficient evil. The effort vs reward ratio for rote learning is very low; lots of effort without much benefit and little long-lasting effect.
Note that there is a difference between rote learning of facts, and a deep understanding and level of experience such that it becomes second nature. I have a deep understanding of C++ that I obtained not by memorization, but by years of experience.
It is a matter of balance. In my example of my daughter's class, IMHO the time memorizing state capitols would be better spent gaining a deeper understanding of the forms of our government, how elements and atoms work, the history of early America, or beginning algebra (all topics they are studying this year).
Hmm, we may have successfully beaten this subject to death. |
