Does Rote Memorization Actually Help Us Learn New Things?

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Exactly Is Rote Memorization?Does Rote Memorization Help Us Learn?BenefitsDisadvantages of Rote MemorizationWhat’s the Difference Between Rote Memorization and Meaningful Learning?

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

What Exactly Is Rote Memorization?

Does Rote Memorization Help Us Learn?

Benefits

Disadvantages of Rote Memorization

What’s the Difference Between Rote Memorization and Meaningful Learning?

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We’ve all experienced it: You have important information you need to remember, and you’ll do anything it takes to keep it at the forefront of your brain. In this situation, rote memorization may be your best—or even your only—option. But are you really accomplishing much?If you’ve ever employed rote memorization, you’ve probably wondered whether or not it accomplished you much in the long term.At a GlanceRote memorization is the act of repeating information until you remember it. A great example of that is memorizing someone’s phone number. It’s not about any sort of deep learning, and memorizing information doesn’t mean you understand it.Advantages of rote learning include that it’s helpful fortest preparation, and disadvantages include that you won’t necessarily remember the info you memorized long term. Rote memorization has its place, but it’s not nearly as valuable as meaningful learning.What Exactly Is Rote Memorization?Rote memorization is when we repeat a piece of information until we remember it. One great example of it is the alphabet. When we are little, we don’t necessarily understand that our language is composed of the letters A to Z. But we memorize them in a specific order because we are taught to, and then we know the alphabet.Anything can be memorized through repetition. You may know history facts, multiplication tables, the Pledge of Allegiance, or even how to do your job through rote memorization. It’s a form oflearning, but it doesn’t signify deep understanding of a topic.It’s simply the act of repeating something enough times that eventually, our brains hold on to it.Does Rote Memorization Actually Help Us Learn and Understand Information?There are situations in which rote memorization can be helpful. “Rote memorization can be a useful learning tool in some situations, but its effectiveness depends on the type of information being learned and how it is applied,” saysDr. Aldrich Chan, neuropsychologist. He tells us that rote memorization can be a useful learning tool for test preparation, learning basic facts and information such as vocabulary words or math formulas, and when we are in the early stages of learning something new.Of course, rote memorization is not akin to strong understanding, and memorizing facts doesn’t mean you’ve actually learned a subject. Chan notes that “rote memorization often does not promote a deep understanding of the material. Learners may be able to recite facts or information without truly comprehending their meaning or significance.“These Are the Benefits of Rote MemorizationRote memorization has a place in our day to day lives, especially when we need to learn something new or in a quick fashion. It enables us to regurgitate information in situations where doing so is the main thing asked of us, even if it doesn’t lead us to have a deep understanding of that info. Here are its top benefits:Easy access to info:Chan says that “rote memorization helps you quickly recall essential facts, data, or formulas. This can be particularly helpful in situations where immediate access to information is required, such as during exams or for a job roles.“Efficiency:When you need to know someone’s phone number, it doesn’t really require you to understand it—you just need to get your brain to access a series of numbers. Chan tells us that “for some types of information…memorization is often more efficient than trying to derive the information through other means. Memorization can save time and mental effort for frequently used data.“Your mind is engaged:Memorization is better than simply not using your brain. A study found that older adults who employ rote memorization have stronger neuralplasticitythan those who don’t.Preserving culture:The written word has not always existed, and even now there are people who may not have access to paper or the internet. Chan explains that “memorization has been a traditional method for preserving cultural and historical knowledge. Oral traditions, epic poems, and religious texts have been passed down through generations via memorization.“Disadvantages of Rote MemorizationThe act of memorizing through repetition, as you may suspect, also has its down sides. This is why it isn’t always the solution to every problem. These are the disadvantages of rote memorization.Lack of Retention: Memorizing facts through repetition doesn’t necessarily keep them in your brain for long. “Information memorized through rote learning is often retained in the short term but may be forgotten relatively quickly if not actively used,” says Chan.Shallow Understanding: You don’t necessarily get much depth out of rote memorization. Says Chan, “one of the most significant drawbacks of rote memorization is that it often does not promote a deep understanding of the material. Learners may memorize facts or information without truly comprehending their meaning or how they fit into a broader context.“It Doesn’t Benefit Your Mind: Rote memorization can’t teach you how to think for yourself. “Rote memorization tends to focus on memorizing facts and procedures, which may discourage critical thinking or problem-solving skills,” explains Chan.What’s the Difference Between Rote Memorization and Meaningful Learning?Both rote memorization and meaningful learning have their place. The most important thing to remember is that they are different, and rote memorization cannot stand in as a substitute for actual learning. Just because you havememorizedsomething doesn’t mean you understand it, and it doesn’t mean that you can do anything with that information beyond recite it.The uses for rote memorization are not as vast as they are for deep learning. Says Chan, “rote memorization involves repeating and memorizing information without a deep understanding of its meaning, often leading to short-term retention and limited application.” On the other hand, he explains that “meaningful learning focuses on understanding the underlying concepts and principles, encouraging critical thinking, and facilitating the integration of knowledge into broader contexts.Meaningful learningpromotes long-term retention and the ability to apply knowledge flexibly.“If you have a big test coming up or a list of attendees to memorize for a party, if may be helpful for you to utilize rote memorization. It can’t replace meaningful learning, but it has its place.

We’ve all experienced it: You have important information you need to remember, and you’ll do anything it takes to keep it at the forefront of your brain. In this situation, rote memorization may be your best—or even your only—option. But are you really accomplishing much?

If you’ve ever employed rote memorization, you’ve probably wondered whether or not it accomplished you much in the long term.

At a GlanceRote memorization is the act of repeating information until you remember it. A great example of that is memorizing someone’s phone number. It’s not about any sort of deep learning, and memorizing information doesn’t mean you understand it.Advantages of rote learning include that it’s helpful fortest preparation, and disadvantages include that you won’t necessarily remember the info you memorized long term. Rote memorization has its place, but it’s not nearly as valuable as meaningful learning.

At a Glance

Rote memorization is the act of repeating information until you remember it. A great example of that is memorizing someone’s phone number. It’s not about any sort of deep learning, and memorizing information doesn’t mean you understand it.Advantages of rote learning include that it’s helpful fortest preparation, and disadvantages include that you won’t necessarily remember the info you memorized long term. Rote memorization has its place, but it’s not nearly as valuable as meaningful learning.

Rote memorization is the act of repeating information until you remember it. A great example of that is memorizing someone’s phone number. It’s not about any sort of deep learning, and memorizing information doesn’t mean you understand it.

Advantages of rote learning include that it’s helpful fortest preparation, and disadvantages include that you won’t necessarily remember the info you memorized long term. Rote memorization has its place, but it’s not nearly as valuable as meaningful learning.

Rote memorization is when we repeat a piece of information until we remember it. One great example of it is the alphabet. When we are little, we don’t necessarily understand that our language is composed of the letters A to Z. But we memorize them in a specific order because we are taught to, and then we know the alphabet.

Anything can be memorized through repetition. You may know history facts, multiplication tables, the Pledge of Allegiance, or even how to do your job through rote memorization. It’s a form oflearning, but it doesn’t signify deep understanding of a topic.It’s simply the act of repeating something enough times that eventually, our brains hold on to it.

Does Rote Memorization Actually Help Us Learn and Understand Information?

There are situations in which rote memorization can be helpful. “Rote memorization can be a useful learning tool in some situations, but its effectiveness depends on the type of information being learned and how it is applied,” saysDr. Aldrich Chan, neuropsychologist. He tells us that rote memorization can be a useful learning tool for test preparation, learning basic facts and information such as vocabulary words or math formulas, and when we are in the early stages of learning something new.

Of course, rote memorization is not akin to strong understanding, and memorizing facts doesn’t mean you’ve actually learned a subject. Chan notes that “rote memorization often does not promote a deep understanding of the material. Learners may be able to recite facts or information without truly comprehending their meaning or significance.”

These Are the Benefits of Rote Memorization

Rote memorization has a place in our day to day lives, especially when we need to learn something new or in a quick fashion. It enables us to regurgitate information in situations where doing so is the main thing asked of us, even if it doesn’t lead us to have a deep understanding of that info. Here are its top benefits:

The act of memorizing through repetition, as you may suspect, also has its down sides. This is why it isn’t always the solution to every problem. These are the disadvantages of rote memorization.

Both rote memorization and meaningful learning have their place. The most important thing to remember is that they are different, and rote memorization cannot stand in as a substitute for actual learning. Just because you havememorizedsomething doesn’t mean you understand it, and it doesn’t mean that you can do anything with that information beyond recite it.

The uses for rote memorization are not as vast as they are for deep learning. Says Chan, “rote memorization involves repeating and memorizing information without a deep understanding of its meaning, often leading to short-term retention and limited application.” On the other hand, he explains that “meaningful learning focuses on understanding the underlying concepts and principles, encouraging critical thinking, and facilitating the integration of knowledge into broader contexts.Meaningful learningpromotes long-term retention and the ability to apply knowledge flexibly.”

If you have a big test coming up or a list of attendees to memorize for a party, if may be helpful for you to utilize rote memorization. It can’t replace meaningful learning, but it has its place.

2 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Ahmed A, Ahmed N.Comparative analysis of rote learning on high and low achievers in graduate and undergraduate programs.Journal of Education and Educational Development. 2017;4(1):111-129.Roche RA, Mullally SL, McNulty JP, et al. Prolonged rote learning produces delayed memory facilitation and metabolic changes in the hippocampus of the ageing human brain.BMC Neurosci. 2009;10:136.

2 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Ahmed A, Ahmed N.Comparative analysis of rote learning on high and low achievers in graduate and undergraduate programs.Journal of Education and Educational Development. 2017;4(1):111-129.Roche RA, Mullally SL, McNulty JP, et al. Prolonged rote learning produces delayed memory facilitation and metabolic changes in the hippocampus of the ageing human brain.BMC Neurosci. 2009;10:136.

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Ahmed A, Ahmed N.Comparative analysis of rote learning on high and low achievers in graduate and undergraduate programs.Journal of Education and Educational Development. 2017;4(1):111-129.Roche RA, Mullally SL, McNulty JP, et al. Prolonged rote learning produces delayed memory facilitation and metabolic changes in the hippocampus of the ageing human brain.BMC Neurosci. 2009;10:136.

Ahmed A, Ahmed N.Comparative analysis of rote learning on high and low achievers in graduate and undergraduate programs.Journal of Education and Educational Development. 2017;4(1):111-129.

Roche RA, Mullally SL, McNulty JP, et al. Prolonged rote learning produces delayed memory facilitation and metabolic changes in the hippocampus of the ageing human brain.BMC Neurosci. 2009;10:136.

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