Avoid rote learning in kids
Learning by rote involves memorization rather than the use of critical thinking and reasoning. Although it may be useful under some circumstances, learning by rote is not the most efficient method of education.
Early on in childhood, most of us were exposed to rote learning when we remembered the alphabet, numbers, multiplication tables, and formulae. This kind of learning is memorization. This pattern often continues on through high school, when we are taught to memorize dates, names, and grammatical rules. Unfortunately, this pattern may persist far into adulthood, at a point in time when we are so used to being handed knowledge and just putting it to use that we do not stop to consider the reasoning behind the information itself.
Rote Learning
Learning by rote is fine when it comes to memorization of dates, names, numbers, and other information that does not have any significance but is nonetheless essential for rapid recall. When this is through to learning, which ought to be done in a meaningful manner, this is when issues start to occur.
Rote learning drives narrow mindedness
Learning by rote instructs the mind to solve issues using a single method that is correct. It is in contrast to meaningful thinking, which teaches the mind to solve problems using a variety of approaches. And opens it up to many options. A person who learns information by memorization and repetition will always be able to remember the solution to a straightforward multiplication issue. However, a person who uses divergent thinking will find several ways to arrive at the same solution to the problem.
Resists creativity
Rote learning occurs when information is in a manner that does not allow for or encourage students to challenge the knowledge. Or think in a variety of different ways. When someone learns anything by rote, they have the answer to a question. And that is the only response they know how to provide.
If it is not a mathematical issue. There may be more than one solution that is valid. However, the rote learner will never gain the capacity to investigate the many paths. It is that might lead to a variety of outcomes; this is because rote learning emphasizes memorization rather than exploration.
Those who only learn to repeat things won’t ever learn to question or investigate. Their brains take in information and retrieve it at the appropriate moment. These individuals improve their capabilities in the areas of hearing and writing. However, not in the areas of thinking and questioning. When they are forced out of their usual environment. Passive learners tend to become withdrawn and uninterested in the activities going on around them.
Resist entrepreneurship
People who like to rote learn are following instructions without having the freedom to think for themselves and reach at the same conclusion another way, or even to explore an entirely different solution altogether. This is due to the fact that rote learning is the drilling of specific information.
People who absorb information by rote may not be able to demonstrate leadership qualities. It is when they are in higher management positions since these roles nearly always demand creative problem solving and thinking outside the box.
About the Author
