ROTE learning is often said to be the mere memorisation of large amounts of text without understanding the subject ("Weed out outdated rote learning" by Mr Terence Lee Xin Jin; yesterday).
This is a misconception.
My research of students from China studying at some of our local universities shows that rote learning is an integral part of learning in that country.
Students exercise their long-term memory power followed by in-depth understanding of what they have memorised. They do not just memorise without understanding.
It is true that one can find most information using Google today, but Googling is not allowed during an examination. Every answer to an examination question, whether it is a recall or application question, must come from students' memory.
Knowledge is, therefore, never useless; it is just waiting to be used at an appropriate time. This is what all top students have in common - super memory.
The call to revamp our education system to do away with the so-called "traditional method" of learning is unnecessary.
Singapore's education system has evolved to become one of the best in the world. The fact that schools in the United States are using our mathematics textbooks is a testament to this.
I do, however, agree that we must try to make learning fun and enjoyable, which is more easily achievable. Some Singapore groups are already working on it; let us hope it will benefit our students soon.
Ong Soon Leong
This is a misconception.
My research of students from China studying at some of our local universities shows that rote learning is an integral part of learning in that country.
Students exercise their long-term memory power followed by in-depth understanding of what they have memorised. They do not just memorise without understanding.
It is true that one can find most information using Google today, but Googling is not allowed during an examination. Every answer to an examination question, whether it is a recall or application question, must come from students' memory.
Knowledge is, therefore, never useless; it is just waiting to be used at an appropriate time. This is what all top students have in common - super memory.
The call to revamp our education system to do away with the so-called "traditional method" of learning is unnecessary.
Singapore's education system has evolved to become one of the best in the world. The fact that schools in the United States are using our mathematics textbooks is a testament to this.
I do, however, agree that we must try to make learning fun and enjoyable, which is more easily achievable. Some Singapore groups are already working on it; let us hope it will benefit our students soon.
Ong Soon Leong
