Comments on: The Importance of Rote Learning in the Google Era http://www.openeducation.net/2009/01/02/the-importance-of-rote-learning-in-the-google-era/ Free Education for All Sat, 13 Mar 2010 19:26:10 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Bill http://www.openeducation.net/2009/01/02/the-importance-of-rote-learning-in-the-google-era/comment-page-1/#comment-6693 Bill Fri, 05 Jun 2009 13:39:50 +0000 http://www.openeducation.net/?p=1163#comment-6693 I don't think you can truly have the ability to engage in "critical thinking" without a strong foundation of basic facts and cultural learnings that have, yes, been drilled into you at a young age. You can't "understand" water without knowing that it is two hydrogen atoms bonded to one oxygen atom. The words we use to communicate - writing - must be drilled into you to overcome illiteracy. Critical thinking and understanding - vague and ill-defined as these terms are in this debate - can only be thought of as the capstone of an education. Today's educators want the bread without planting the wheat. It's really pretty foolish. I don’t think you can truly have the ability to engage in “critical thinking” without a strong foundation of basic facts and cultural learnings that have, yes, been drilled into you at a young age. You can’t “understand” water without knowing that it is two hydrogen atoms bonded to one oxygen atom. The words we use to communicate – writing – must be drilled into you to overcome illiteracy. Critical thinking and understanding – vague and ill-defined as these terms are in this debate – can only be thought of as the capstone of an education. Today’s educators want the bread without planting the wheat. It’s really pretty foolish.

]]> By: Mark http://www.openeducation.net/2009/01/02/the-importance-of-rote-learning-in-the-google-era/comment-page-1/#comment-6532 Mark Wed, 15 Apr 2009 04:53:22 +0000 http://www.openeducation.net/?p=1163#comment-6532 Is using flash cards like on http://periodictableflashcards.blogspot.com/ a good way to learn? I am having trouble learning several subjects and I am at my wits end! Is using flash cards like on http://periodictableflashcards.blogspot.com/ a good way to learn? I am having trouble learning several subjects and I am at my wits end!

]]> By: TeacherJay’s EduBlog » History Lessons http://www.openeducation.net/2009/01/02/the-importance-of-rote-learning-in-the-google-era/comment-page-1/#comment-6252 TeacherJay’s EduBlog » History Lessons Sat, 17 Jan 2009 21:06:34 +0000 http://www.openeducation.net/?p=1163#comment-6252 [...] engage with the content and really understand history.  (Over at the Open Education blog, they recently discussed this effect rote learning within the “Google generation”.)  Even more frustrating are my memories of repeating the same material in sixth through ninth [...] [...] engage with the content and really understand history.  (Over at the Open Education blog, they recently discussed this effect rote learning within the “Google generation”.)  Even more frustrating are my memories of repeating the same material in sixth through ninth [...]

]]> By: TeacherJay http://www.openeducation.net/2009/01/02/the-importance-of-rote-learning-in-the-google-era/comment-page-1/#comment-6228 TeacherJay Fri, 09 Jan 2009 21:19:51 +0000 http://www.openeducation.net/?p=1163#comment-6228 I must agree that a balance is what needs to be found here. In response to Patricia Cone's comment, your daughter's continued success in medical school based solely on her ability to memorize and regurgitate facts worries me. I would prefer the doctor operating me to have a solid understanding, but also not relying solely on her memorization - facts change, research is updated and nobody can remember everything! She may find that she needs to look at some references occasionally or her learning and growth in experience will end the day she finished medical school. As our world changes, so too must the education that we provide to our children. Relying solely on rote memorization and standardized exams, the way that NCLB encourages, will leave students with decontextualized knowledge. However, providing them with a basic framework of core concepts (which was E.D. Hirsch's true objective) and then teaching them how to use those skills will enable them to guide their own learning, creating a situation in which they will be excited about knowledge (because it is what they want to learn) and also flexible enough to adapt as the world changes. <a href="http://edublog.teacherjay.net/2009/01/09/inquiry-based-learning/" rel="nofollow">I recently posted a blog entry</a> on an essay I read on Inquiry-based Learning. The essay, entitled<a href="http://www.hepg.org/her/abstract/665" rel="nofollow"> Testing the Waters: Three Elements of Classroom Inquiry</a>, and appearing in the Winter 2008 issue of Harvard Educational Review, provides an example of just such an educational experience. I must agree that a balance is what needs to be found here. In response to Patricia Cone’s comment, your daughter’s continued success in medical school based solely on her ability to memorize and regurgitate facts worries me. I would prefer the doctor operating me to have a solid understanding, but also not relying solely on her memorization – facts change, research is updated and nobody can remember everything! She may find that she needs to look at some references occasionally or her learning and growth in experience will end the day she finished medical school.

As our world changes, so too must the education that we provide to our children. Relying solely on rote memorization and standardized exams, the way that NCLB encourages, will leave students with decontextualized knowledge. However, providing them with a basic framework of core concepts (which was E.D. Hirsch’s true objective) and then teaching them how to use those skills will enable them to guide their own learning, creating a situation in which they will be excited about knowledge (because it is what they want to learn) and also flexible enough to adapt as the world changes.

I recently posted a blog entry on an essay I read on Inquiry-based Learning. The essay, entitled Testing the Waters: Three Elements of Classroom Inquiry, and appearing in the Winter 2008 issue of Harvard Educational Review, provides an example of just such an educational experience.

]]> By: Joseph Thibault http://www.openeducation.net/2009/01/02/the-importance-of-rote-learning-in-the-google-era/comment-page-1/#comment-6206 Joseph Thibault Mon, 05 Jan 2009 15:35:02 +0000 http://www.openeducation.net/?p=1163#comment-6206 Does anyone know what successful education really is? Does anyone know what successful education really is?

]]> By: mathman6293 http://www.openeducation.net/2009/01/02/the-importance-of-rote-learning-in-the-google-era/comment-page-1/#comment-6201 mathman6293 Sun, 04 Jan 2009 00:51:19 +0000 http://www.openeducation.net/?p=1163#comment-6201 I think like with most segements of life, balance is important. In GA we're implementing new Math standards in 9th Grade. It has become apparent to me that our current students don't have enough basic math memorized to move forward with meaningful math thought. In previous years, I taught low-level kids to get through purely process driven math. I believe a calculator was sufficient for these kids. Sadly, the expectation was to get by for these kids. Now, the expecation is not to just get by and students need a strong background that they can recall easily - there isn't time to google the times tables in freshman math. I think like with most segements of life, balance is important. In GA we’re implementing new Math standards in 9th Grade. It has become apparent to me that our current students don’t have enough basic math memorized to move forward with meaningful math thought.

In previous years, I taught low-level kids to get through purely process driven math. I believe a calculator was sufficient for these kids. Sadly, the expectation was to get by for these kids.

Now, the expecation is not to just get by and students need a strong background that they can recall easily – there isn’t time to google the times tables in freshman math.

]]> By: Sandy http://www.openeducation.net/2009/01/02/the-importance-of-rote-learning-in-the-google-era/comment-page-1/#comment-6199 Sandy Sat, 03 Jan 2009 20:36:48 +0000 http://www.openeducation.net/?p=1163#comment-6199 At last, a fellow educator with a voice of reason! Far too many colleagues are in a determined quest for the ONE best answer to education, when in reality, it's more like a smorgasbord-it takes all kinds of food to make a feast, and what's good for one student may not be right for another. Nice article! At last, a fellow educator with a voice of reason! Far too many colleagues are in a determined quest for the ONE best answer to education, when in reality, it’s more like a smorgasbord-it takes all kinds of food to make a feast, and what’s good for one student may not be right for another. Nice article!

]]> By: Clark Quinn http://www.openeducation.net/2009/01/02/the-importance-of-rote-learning-in-the-google-era/comment-page-1/#comment-6198 Clark Quinn Sat, 03 Jan 2009 03:52:58 +0000 http://www.openeducation.net/?p=1163#comment-6198 I'm reminded of Ed Hirsch and Cultural Literacy. He had this list of everything an American needed to know, but I'd add that the ability to use it was also needed. I think Van Merrienboer has it right, with both the knowledge you need and the complex situations you need to be able to apply it. So neither side alone is sufficient. We need to determine the minimal set of knowledge and skills that allow you to continue to develop as knowledge and culture develop. I'd add wisdom in there too. I’m reminded of Ed Hirsch and Cultural Literacy. He had this list of everything an American needed to know, but I’d add that the ability to use it was also needed. I think Van Merrienboer has it right, with both the knowledge you need and the complex situations you need to be able to apply it. So neither side alone is sufficient. We need to determine the minimal set of knowledge and skills that allow you to continue to develop as knowledge and culture develop. I’d add wisdom in there too.

]]> By: KCJ http://www.openeducation.net/2009/01/02/the-importance-of-rote-learning-in-the-google-era/comment-page-1/#comment-6196 KCJ Sat, 03 Jan 2009 02:19:00 +0000 http://www.openeducation.net/?p=1163#comment-6196 I agree with some points here, but these movements in education can often be like throwing the baby out with the bathwater. I teach World History, and I will tell you there is very little focus on dates. But it is still vital for students to have an understanding of time as a frame of reference. In our district, there is a big debate over thematic teaching vs. chronological teaching. The downside of chronological is that it is easy to get bogged down on a timeline. However, the downside of thematic, for example, we taught a Philosophy & Belief Systems unit, students walk away feeling like Muhammad, Abraham, Buddha, Jesus, Confucius etc were all friends. The internet is great...I love it. I learn more than I thought I could everyday. But the digital divide is real. We can't stop teaching basic knowledge when there are still large numbers that do not have access. I agree with some points here, but these movements in education can often be like throwing the baby out with the bathwater.

I teach World History, and I will tell you there is very little focus on dates. But it is still vital for students to have an understanding of time as a frame of reference. In our district, there is a big debate over thematic teaching vs. chronological teaching. The downside of chronological is that it is easy to get bogged down on a timeline. However, the downside of thematic, for example, we taught a Philosophy & Belief Systems unit, students walk away feeling like Muhammad, Abraham, Buddha, Jesus, Confucius etc were all friends.

The internet is great…I love it. I learn more than I thought I could everyday. But the digital divide is real. We can’t stop teaching basic knowledge when there are still large numbers that do not have access.

]]> By: Patricia Cone http://www.openeducation.net/2009/01/02/the-importance-of-rote-learning-in-the-google-era/comment-page-1/#comment-6193 Patricia Cone Fri, 02 Jan 2009 22:08:48 +0000 http://www.openeducation.net/?p=1163#comment-6193 I am so incredibly tired of this argument that no one needs to memorize anything. Last summer, I wrote a blog post about this subject after reading my step-daughter's med school blog. Her continued success in her medical school studies is tied to her ability to memorize and regurgitate facts. http://patriciaellencone.blogspot.com/2008/08/sowhat-exactly-is-21st-century-learning.html Do we really want to create professionals that have to check Google every time they need to make an informed decision? I hardly think so. Memory work has its place in the total fabric of learning just as you have suggested in your blog post. I am so incredibly tired of this argument that no one needs to memorize anything. Last summer, I wrote a blog post about this subject after reading my step-daughter’s med school blog. Her continued success in her medical school studies is tied to her ability to memorize and regurgitate facts. http://patriciaellencone.blogspot.com/2008/08/sowhat-exactly-is-21st-century-learning.html
Do we really want to create professionals that have to check Google every time they need to make an informed decision? I hardly think so. Memory work has its place in the total fabric of learning just as you have suggested in your blog post.

]]>