When Memorisation Matters

Rote learning is bad. But how do we get students to master learning without memorisation? Automaticity is the key

- Naveen Mandava

Every teacher has faced these scenarios:

Scenario I: In a class IV room, the science teacher wants students to read the chapter on digestive system. Most find it difficult to read basic words like 'movement' and 'available.' The teacher is frustrated and reads the lesson aloud herself. She is at a loss not knowing if she should continue with the lesson or get children to read basic English words.

Scenario 2: More than half a class III room full of students are unable to complete a division problem. The teacher finds that these children can't recall basic math like 8 times 7. She is unsure if she should get children to learn multiplication tables or Just move ahead with division and hope the children somehow pickup multiplication tables later.

If these scenarios resonate with you, you are most likely not alone. It has become a cliche to criticise rote learning in our education system.