No More Rote Memorization

[mummyxoxo]

JS rolling:

Hello, everyone!


Looking at how the exams are structured where questions are creative and cannot just rely on rote memorization, it is sad to see my DD struggling. I have gone through with methods like unit transfer method but those methods without good thinking skills are just useless.

Moreover, I believe that such rote memorization is going to harm my DD in the long run if she doesn’t start to learn the proper ways to use her brain.

Thus, I am asking for help from anyone who can recommend me a good education program that is real education instead of rote memorization.

:thankyou:

Good education programme that teaches kids the proper ways of using their brains... that's very interesting... I have seen my dd1 ex tutor guiding dd1 in the thought process while answering questions (by questioning her and makimg her think to derive the answer) but whether dd1 knew how to use her brain ultimately then was still a mystery. Even at my workplace, when I saw new hires at my department (fresh graduates), sometimes they will ask things that are obvious rather than looking at their tasks and analysing what to do first. Wonder if there is any way which can help kids the proper ways to think.

[sharonkhoo]

The main thing is to make sure the child really understands the concepts when learning the material. Also, make the child think and ask questions, spend time puzzling things out, before asking for "the answer". The child should be discouraged from just focusing on "the answer" and "the method" without the underlying understanding.


On the other hand, some rote memorisation is important too. It’s a waste of time to do repeated addition, say, instead of memorising the multiplication tables, or derive formulae from scratch instead of just memorising them. Some things just have to be memorised - population figures, dates, quotations, Chinese characters etc. So it’s not possible or desirable to totally do away with memorisation as long as it comes after the understanding, not instead of.

[laughingcat]

JS rolling:

Hello, everyone!


Looking at how the exams are structured where questions are creative and cannot just rely on rote memorization, it is sad to see my DD struggling. I have gone through with methods like unit transfer method but those methods without good thinking skills are just useless.

Moreover, I believe that such rote memorization is going to harm my DD in the long run if she doesn’t start to learn the proper ways to use her brain.

Thus, I am asking for help from anyone who can recommend me a good education program that is real education instead of rote memorization.

:thankyou:

JS rolling, you can try model method ah. My DC cannot do rote learning as well. DC is a visual learner and model drawing works beautifully. Anyway, my older DC school teachers highly recommended model drawing as it reduces error. Most kids are viual learner as she mentioned. You are not alone.

[songstress]

My son’s classmate attends CCE Education (http://cce.education/) and I’ve heard positive things about them, so you might want to give them a try. I’m planning to drop by for a visit as well. Mavis Tutorial (http://mavistutorial.com/), Kent Ridge Education (http://www.kentridgetutors.com) and Mind Stretcher (http://www.mindstretcher.com/) are good alternatives too.

[andee]

I think the biggest problem that our education system has is that rote memorization has become the main focus in the classroom. Yes, memorization is important, especially in the basics like multiplication, scientific method, etc. but I think using it in more complicated topics won’t help students gain full understanding of the subject. Teachers just keep on dumping piles of worksheets whose answers students had just discussed in school.


Having said this, I think our education system needs an ‘upgrade’. It doesn’t need to be done in a haste. It’s best if the system plans this out until it arrives at a concrete solution. Just my opinion.

[mummyxoxo]

Just an inquiry, does copying notes constitute rote learning? Dd1 likes to copy notes for a few times prior to exam as she claims that this helps her to retain information better. She told me even though she understands the concepts when her teacher/lecturer taught, copying helps to retain them in her brain better.

[sharonkhoo]

mummyxoxo:

Just an inquiry, does copying notes constitute rote learning? Dd1 likes to copy notes for a few times prior to exam as she claims that this helps her to retain information better. She told me even though she understands the concepts when her teacher/lecturer taught, copying helps to retain them in her brain better.

Not unless she intends to use the notes word for word in the exam, and she doesn't have much of an understanding of what she is copying. Some people remember better through writing, others through reading, etc.

[nelli]

JS rolling:

Hello, everyone!


Looking at how the exams are structured where questions are creative and cannot just rely on rote memorization, it is sad to see my DD struggling. I have gone through with methods like unit transfer method but those methods without good thinking skills are just useless.

Moreover, I believe that such rote memorization is going to harm my DD in the long run if she doesn’t start to learn the proper ways to use her brain.

Thus, I am asking for help from anyone who can recommend me a good education program that is real education instead of rote memorization.

:thankyou:

I feel you, JS rolling. My P4 daughter had the same problem last year. Math was kind of traumatizing for her. She somehow had the idea that if you’re smart, you can do math and, if you’re not smart, you cannot. Her confidence was greatly affected as she was getting failing marks on exams. Tuition really helps as long as you choose the best one.

[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.