Rote Learning vs. Concept Development: Which is the Way to Go?

Would it be surprising if we told you that, on average, students spend almost 20 hours a week memorizing facts and figures in a traditional classroom setting? Yet, despite such huge efforts, only 70% of what they memorized is remembered well through to the examinations and then forgotten soon after. 

In this article, we take a look at the distinctions between rote memorization and concept development. The article also discusses why rote learning should be avoided and concept development should instead be focused on.

What is Concept Development?

There was a time when the word ‘learning’ was more or less associated with the act of memorizing ‘by-heart’ several facts and figures that we came across in our educational experience. Concept development then emerged as a much-needed shift in the field of education, shifting our focus from mindless memorization to a deeper understanding of whatever is being taught in the classroom.

Also Read | Evolution in Education: Shift from Traditional to Personalised Learning

At the heart of concept development is the ability to clearly understand and not just memorize facts and figures. It enables children to access their learning, envision related concepts and also raise questions to get rid of doubts. In simpler terms, concept development enables students to focus on the “why” and “how” rather than just the “what”.

Rote Learning: Why should it be Avoided?

Believe it or not, rote learning was a crucial part of the traditional learning system. Especially for young learners, repeating things aloud is still the most followed way to learn the alphabet and numbers. 

However, despite the wide use of rote learning, it is not the right way to go if you actually want to learn and remember things for a long period of time. Here are a few reasons that throw further light on why rote learning should be avoided:

• Superficial Understanding: Rote learning just helps students to remember what they have learnt. It does not go by the principle of understanding for better learning. As a result, students might remember the events related to a certain event but might not be able to comprehend why that particular event even happened in the first place.
• Absence of Critical Thinking: Rote learning is just about repeating facts and figures a number of times so that they are framed in our minds. It involves no form of critical thinking whatsoever. This is proven by studies that state that students who rely on rote learning demonstrate 25% less critical thinking capability than those who are focused on concept development.
• Little Retention Rate: Facts and figures learnt via rote memorisation are retained only for a short period of time, just until the end of that particular academic year in most cases. German psychologist Hermann Ebbinghaus, in the 1880s, found that the retention rate for memorized material drops by 50% right in the first hour, with only around 25% left by the end of the first week.
• Anxiety and Stress: Students, in a traditional learning environment, often suffer from the pressure of having to memorize things. Stress and anxiety are sure to occur when you are not able to retain the learning even after repeated attempts at memorizing it, spending hours and even days at it. In fact, surveys reveal that almost 80% of students suffer from stress and anxiety during exams that are centred around rote learning.

Concept Development: The Right Way to Go?

As the education system has progressed over the years, concept learning is more focused upon rather than rote memorization. This has been very useful as schools that focus on concept development are known to experience an increase in student engagement by 20%. Here are a few benefits of concept-based learning:

• Enhanced Understanding: Concept development allows students to get a good grasp of why things are the way they are. Students are encouraged to ask questions and to dig deeper into concepts. This helps them to retain that information for a longer period of time- almost 30% better than when dependent on rote learning.
• Improved Critical Thinking: Understanding concepts helps students to understand and look into factors which are otherwise ignored due to the lack of critical thinking in rote learning. It enables students to analyse situations effectively, developing their critical thinking and even problem-solving skills, while also broadening their educational horizon.
• Long-term Retention: It is a well-known fact that we tend to remember things better when we actually understand the underlying reason behind that particular thing. Studies reveal that the retention rate in students who choose to understand concepts rather than mindlessly memorizing them is around 80%.
• Real-world Application: What use is memorizing random dates and events that are of no use rather than filling up the answer sheets in examinations? Instead, focusing on concept development helps to put the same concepts to use in the real world, enhancing practicality in learning. It also makes children ready for the path ahead as 35% of children who learn through concept development are known to pursue higher studies and have a promising career.

The Millenium School: Fostering Concept-based Learning for a Brighter Future

One of the best schools in Greater Noida West, The Millenium School has efficiently acknowledged the importance of concept development. Catering to the different developmental needs of its students, The Millenium School aims to impart wisdom to its students, teaching them to use their hearts for understanding.

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Learning, at The Millenium School, is provided through immense research. The educators here are focused on developing research-based solutions, making sure that their students learn through concept development rather than letting them depend on rote memorization. To achieve this, the school makes use of age-specific curricula that have been specifically designed as per the needs of students of different age groups.

The teachers are The Millenium School are not just teachers but facilitators- trained to translate the vision of the school into the classroom through interactive and engaging learning sessions. The educators here experience a learning continuum, which makes sure that the teaching-learning process at The Millenium School is much more effective.

By fostering a culture of concept development, we empower students to become lifelong learners, equipped to face the challenges and seize the opportunities of tomorrow. So, apply now for admission to The Millenium School and ensure an effective learning process for your child.