Rote learning is
a learning technique which focuses on memorization. While
memorizing is a great skill by itself, it cannot be not a replacement for Understanding
a subject. Sadly,Rote learning is the predominant form of learning in Asia
& South America.As the famous physicist Richard Feynman puts it " So,
you see, they could pass the examinations, and "learn" all this
stuff, and not know anything at all,
except what they had memorized”.
So, What is the Solution? The only
solution is to target the school students to improve their creativity &
Problem Solving by :
A) Opening the doors
for lab/Project based learning rather than just “learning from the Book”. For
ex., While teaching number division (say 4/2), the teacher could bring 4
chocolates and divide it two people and explain the concept of division.
B) Promoting the
questioning in classroom. It is a common tendency in India that the student who
asks questions is mocked at by fellow students and sometimes even by the
Teachers. After sometimes, the “questioning” student stops questioning.
Teachers & Parents should promote the questioning in the classroom.
C) Encouraging the
creativity of students even at the risk of not arriving at the exact solution.
In the Rote learning method, it is insisted that there is only one way a
problem can be solved and a student would be doomed if he/she arrives at
alternative methods. Young Students should be encouraged to come with as many
methods to solve a problem as possible. Focus should be on the approach even at
the cost of drop in accuracy
So the Parents & Teachers of the
World, It is through Inquisitiveness that we can solve the greater issues that
are we faced with in this World. Children have an abundant of it. Let us
encourage it by promoting the above solutions by promoting creativity and
problem solving in our kids & not insisting Learn by Rote.