No More Rote Memorization

[mindbogglers27]

I believe that Math or Science content is not the problem nor is it the students, but rather the way it is commonly taught. Unfortunately, teaching critical thinking is not part of the current school curriculum. Students commonly succeed in calculation, but fail to reason mathematically. And they find it difficult to apply the scientific method to their analysis of scientific studies.

[nelli]

tali:

Hi nelli! I hope you don’t mind me asking which center you sent your daughter to. I’ve visited some centers in Hougang but still have yet to find one that I think would be great for my son. I’m getting worried because he’ll be P6 next year and PSLE is just around the corner.

Hi Tali! Sorry for the delayed response. Anyway, my daughter is currently enrolled at CCE Education. They have a branch in Hougang that’s just 5 minutes from the MRT station (#03-214 S530810). I do recommend it but of course, it’s still up to you. It doesn’t mean though, that since it worked for my daughter, it’ll work for your son the same way. I guess it depends on your son’s needs and whether CCE can provide for it or not, the last decision is yours. Good luck!

[realtalk]

The criticism is that students end up memorizing facts but they don’t have the skills to meaningfully interpret these facts or to apply them to other contexts. Aside from changes in the curriculum, I think teachers should be more student-centered in their teaching approach.

[teenmom]

Monotonous repetition of school lessons made my daughter lose focus in school. Her repeating topics and lessons verbally or by hand over and over again led to boredom and disengagement from school. I think rote learning is applicable only to alphabets, numbers and other topics that need memorization, but beyond that, I believe it is not advisable.

[Supermomcarrie]

teenmom:

Monotonous repetition of school lessons made my daughter lose focus in school. Her repeating topics and lessons verbally or by hand over and over again led to boredom and disengagement from school. I think rote learning is applicable only to alphabets, numbers and other topics that need memorization, but beyond that, I believe it is not advisable.

I totally agree! Learning should be fun, interactive for lasting memory

[andee]

nelli:

Hi Tali! Sorry for the delayed response. Anyway, my daughter is currently enrolled at CCE Education. They have a branch in Hougang that’s just 5 minutes from the MRT station (#03-214 S530810). I do recommend it but of course, it’s still up to you. It doesn’t mean though, that since it worked for my daughter, it’ll work for your son the same way. I guess it depends on your son’s needs and whether CCE can provide for it or not, the last decision is yours. Good luck!

I got to know about CCE Education through a random Google search. I found it interesting how they give emphasis on cognitive intelligence, which I haven’t heard of before as far as I’m concerned.

My twin boys who are now in P3, have been with CCE for 2 years already. I’ve noticed how they’re looking forward to their Math and Science classes unlike before which they tried to stay away from.

From my experience with my twins, I realized that critical thinking empowers students to be independent, innovative
and more creative. I’m just happy that my twins got over their fear and are now having fun while learning.

[mindbogglers27]

I myself am not a fan of rote learning. Instead of learning to apply the concepts beyond the classroom, students only learn what they need to score well in exams.

[songstress]

mindbogglers27:

I myself am not a fan of rote learning. Instead of learning to apply the concepts beyond the classroom, students only learn what they need to score well in exams.

Totally agree. I fear that there will come a time when students, even the ‘brainy’ ones will be exhausted from memorizing facts and data. Repeating information then not knowing what to do about it is something I don’t want my child to go through. Although I am opposed to rote memorization, I must admit that it lays the foundation of learning, especially in math and science. However, there are parameters that should be observed. How can a child understand a concept when all he is taught in school is repetitive memorization?

[sharonkhoo]

songstress:

mindbogglers27:

I myself am not a fan of rote learning. Instead of learning to apply the concepts beyond the classroom, students only learn what they need to score well in exams.

Totally agree. I fear that there will come a time when students, even the ‘brainy’ ones will be exhausted from memorizing facts and data. Repeating information then not knowing what to do about it is something I don’t want my child to go through. Although I am opposed to rote memorization, I must admit that it lays the foundation of learning, especially in math and science. However, there are parameters that should be observed. How can a child understand a concept when all he is taught in school is repetitive memorization?

It's usually not the school teachers who emphasise rote memorisation, it's parents and tutors. And once kids get into the habit of just asking \"what do I need to memorise\" so they can finish their homework faster with the least amount of thinking, they tune out the teacher's explanations etc as \"waste of time\" and teachers also get discouraged.

Brainy students will usually find ways to learn and remember without too much rote memorisation (note that I don't say \"no rote memorisation\"). I agree that some amount of memorisation is a necessary foundation (eg. ABC, multiplication tables, literature quotes). My experience is that brainy kids are often naturally lazy, and will find other ways to make sense of knowledge and remember it.

[Nebbermind]

http://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/lets-kill-the-drill-approach-in-schools