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Why Rote Memorization Doesn’t Work (And What to Do Instead)

Why Rote Memorization Doesn’t Work (And What to Do Instead)

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 Some people swear by rote learning. Others dislike this approach to learning with a vengeance. They even get dramatic, calling rote repetition… “Drill and kill.” What gives? And how specifically is learning by this deadly form of repetition defined? We’ll get into everything on this page so that you can make an informed decision about how to learn based on science, not opinion. I’ve always felt doing so was important, from when I first learned about science and critical thinking as an undergrad to when I taught it as a professor at York, Rutgers and the University of Saarland in Germany. In addition to thinking scientifically and critically about what makes rote learning so problematic, I’ll share with you an alternative approach to learning that never feels boring. Sound good? Let’s get started! What Is Rote Learning? Rote learning takes place when you repeatedly expose yourself to information until it enters your long term memory without adding any other creative or strategic element. Raw repetition like this definitely can work, but it takes a lot of time. And in areas like language learning, studies like this one show that alternatives to rote simply don’t work as well as the memory techniques I feature on this blog. More broadly, this study demonstrates how rote learning can actually harm your ability to learn, and it’s not the only one showing these effects. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vL8RhcgP1Fw So, if rote’s so bad, why do people use it? Typically, people use rote learning because it’s the main learning technique they’ve been taught. It has applications in music, for example. Rote memorization can also happen on autopilot in a certain way. For example, when you learn to ride a bike, your procedural memory uses the repetition to form deep neural pathways that ensure you’ll remember the skill for life. Examples of rote learning include: Flipping through flashcardsUsing spaced repetition softwareMentally repeating the same informationMeditations or spiritual practices in which you repeat prayers I also repeated my TEDx Talk several times for practice giving the speech. This is a great example of when a small amount of rote repetition makes sense. The Real Reason Behind Why Rote Memorization Is So Terrible For thousands of years, many people have sought out memory techniques as an alternative to rote learning for a few reasons: Rote is almost always boring and discouragingIt takes more time than people want to spendIt’s not nearly as effective as alternatives like active recall, a technique that engages all the senses. If rote memorization is truly this terrible, why do so many people use it instead of mnemonics? According to Carla Hannaford in Smart Moves: Why Learning Is Not All In Your Head, part of the success of the drug ritalin is easily explained. It helps students put up with the tedious nature of repeating information without any kind of multi-sensory engagement. In other words, societies have preferred drugging children instead of tackling the real problem of making learning fun. But is repetition itself bad? Absolutely not. Again, let’s take the music example. It’s really important to repeat songs if you want to commit lyrics to memory. Repetition is also a huge part of ear training, and general instrumentation a form of rehearsal musicians sometimes call “dedicated practice.” Rote repetition can be good for ear training. However, even in music, even practice forms of repetition can be quite brutal in how they create boredom, I.C. McManus and Peter Richards call any memory gains they create “incidental learning.” In each case, there are alternatives. For one thing, you can use interleaving to spice things up, which basically involves switching between topics or skills that you’re studying. There are many other disadvantages to rote learning, most of which are easily avoided. First, rote learning usually does not ask you to think about what you’re learning. It’s focused entirely on repetition itself. This focus on repetition-for-the-sake-of-repetition not only makes the learning process boring. You also lose out on the benefits of thinking you could receive by engaging with the information in a deeper way. Rote learning also treats the brain as if it were a “linear library.” As a result, you miss the benefits of what I often call the “rhizomatic effect” you experience when using a Memory Palace Network to produce new knowledge based on information you’ve engaged with deeply. Your mind is not a library. Avoid treating your memory in a linear fashion. You also lose tons of time that could have been spent enjoying using your mind and imagination. Finally, rote repetition prevents you from experiencing the benefits of having memorable conversations with others. What To Do Instead Of Rote Memorization I suggest you start using mnemonics to help you commit information faster. One place to begin your journey with memory ...
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