Learning is instrumental in building human capabilities right from the beginning. Basically, there are two means or processes of learning rote and meaningful learning.
Introduction to Rote learning methods
Rote learning is like uploading dead facts or information on sensitive brain without sense of understanding and applicability.
In other words, it is a recalling or memorization technique through the process of repetition. In this technique, more you repeat, better you recall. Simply, the degree of repetition is proportionately related to the ease of recalling retained knowledge.
How rote learning works?
In case if you fail to repeat things longer enough, the chances of forgetting are exceptionally high. However, if you do it for longer period of time, you can put things in long term memory.
Obviously, rote learning is too conventional and boring learning process as one feels tired with already chewed repetition.
It kills curiosity and courage to question attitude of students. By using this technique, one cannot pace the one’s learning progress. Instead, saturation is quickly reached.
Effectivity of rote learning
Logically, things or information you read, gain, or retain need to be linked with your prior or existing knowledge to ensure effective applicability. But, opposite is true regarding rote learning. Clearly, one can’t apply or link knowledge. Knowledge is just loosely stored as it is so static learning process.
Undoubtedly, practitioners of rote learning will definitely lag behind in terms of reasoning, analytical abilities, decision making, problem solving and comprehensive skills. Between rote and meaningful learning methods, I’m going to explain meaningful learning method.
Understanding meaningful learning method
Meaningful learning method
Effective method of learning is a key factor in cultivating curious behavior to boost natural appetite of student community. If the student in question feel boring while learning or gaining things, he or she may not get involve in this process. Here, I’m going to explain the meaningful learning method.
Meaningful learning method definition and usages
Unlike rote learning, meaningful learning is understanding oriented, has better applicability, can build focus, and ensure student’s participation in learning process. So, Applicability, engagement, understanding, links between prior and new things, are some important features of meaningful learning process.
Effectivity of meaningful learning method
Most importantly, it empowers student’s learning appetite and curiosity. Slowly, one can gets accustomed to self study habits through retaining, linking, and applying knowledge in the practical world.
Practically, with this learning techniques, life skills education advocated by WHO seems reality. Really, meaningful learning can empower candidate to understand, analyse, evaluate, things he or she retain or use.
Benjamin blooms taxonomy is the best representation of meaningful learning techniques, beginning with basic and end at the higher level of learning.
What to follow rote learning Or meaningful learning
Nevertheless, rote learning is essential to recall mathematical formulas, tables, facts, etc. to solve problems.
According to learning psychologists, short term memory cannot retain things for longer period of time but long term memory could. Hence, we can’t outrightly reject rote learning but need to be used as per mentioned requirements.
Understandable, explaining rote and meaningful learning is so daunting task considering abstract nature of the topic.
Final thought on rote and meaningful learning
Obviously, both have many negatives and positives, but surely, meaningful learning has upper hand compare to rote learning.
Rote learning seems better when there is requirements of recalling facts, tables, formulas quickly to solve problems. But, it fails to deliver in case of deeper understanding and applicability of retained knowledge.
Well, one is more conventional designed for all; whereas, meaningful learning is in consistent with advancing world needs to be designed as per the candidate in question.
Notably, rote learning method is factually sound one to retain and recall factual data easily. But, it can’t hold water if we think about understanding and application of learnt things. Henceforth, world community is opting for meaningful learning bypassing age old rote.
In conclusion, meaningful learning techniques though time taking but most effective to deliver what modern age aspirants expect – retention and transfer of things one face.
Solved questions on rote and meaningful learning
Here are some useful solved questions on rote and meaningful learning method.
Q.1. What is mean by Rote Learning method?
Ans: Rote Learning method is a recalling or memorization technique through the process of repetition. In this technique, more you repeat, better you recall.
Simply put, the degree of repetition is proportionately related to the ease of recalling retained knowledge.
Logically, things or information you read, gain, or retain need to be linked with your prior or existing knowledge to ensure effective applicability.
Q.2. What does meaningful learning mean?
Ans: Meaningful learning method is understanding oriented, has better applicability, can build focus, and ensure student’s participation in learning process.
So, Applicability, engagement, understanding, links between prior and new things, are some important features of meaningful learning process.
This is all about the understanding of rote and meaningful learning methods.
Theory hypothesis and research