Memorizing Is Not Learning (2024)

Memorizing Is Not Learning

According to the Encarta Dictionary, to learn is to acquire knowledge or skills while to memorize is to commit something to memory. Over the years I have seen many cases where one attends a class or spends time studying materials to “learn” something new and pass an exam to earn credentials. For many, what they are in fact doing is memorizing the materials to pass the exam but they do not always have an ability to put it all in context for application.

I remember as a kid, learning the multiplication tables along with spelling and grammar, but having no idea how it all applied. What I did was memorize them without context to apply what I now knew, which to me meant I did not learn. The fact that 2 x 2 = 4 is a wonderful thing but what does it mean and how does it apply to anything I could possibly use in the future or in life? Certainly I was able to pass an exam seeking the correct answer of 4, but what else did I gain from this? The fact that I had memorized these things had no relevance until later years when I was taught how it could and would be applied in daily life. This is true of many things we are taught. Until you understand the context and application, it is information memorized and absorbed with no relevance.

In my view, the most important element of learning is to understand how what is taught applies. The fact that you have memorized throughput formulas, taxonomic structure and any other information is good but until you are able to put it in context and know how it applies to your situation, you have not learned anything; you have merely stored it in memory for future recall. One of my Middle School teachers taught me this simple approach to learning rather than memorizing. He said that as you study and collect new information being taught think about how you might apply this to your daily life whether it be personal or business centric.

The fact that 2 x 2 = 4 is a good thing to know but when you think of it in terms of purchasing, or calculating materials to be used in construction it takes on a whole new meaning. You are now applying what you have been taught to a real world situation and in this way, you have learned something valuable. In our world, it is good to know about taxonomies and the variations to choose from, but it is only when you can apply what you know, that you realize you have learned something valuable.

If you are ready to move forward and are finding yourself stuck or unfocused and are not sure where to begin or what to do next, seek professional assistance and/or training to get you started. Be sure to investigate AIIM's Enterprise Content Managementtraining program.

Memorizing Is Not Learning (2)

And be sure to read the AIIM Training Briefing on ECM (authored by yours truly).Click on the image to download and read.

What say you? Do you have a story to tell? What are your thoughts on this topic? Do you have a topic of interest you would like discussed in this forum? Let me know.

Bob Larrivee, Director and Industry Advisor – AIIM
Email me:blarrivee@aiim.org

Follow me on Twitter –BobLarrivee
www.aiim.org/training

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Memorizing Is Not Learning (2024)

FAQs

Is memorizing considered learning? ›

Memorize information is not a complete learning thus incomplete knowledge. Knowledge is to know(recognize) and understand(connection/relation).

Why is memorizing considered an ineffective way to learn? ›

Rote learning does not usually build knowledge

To truly learn something, you must generally be able to make connections to your past experiences and the world around you. Without that context, the facts you are memorizing may remain just facts, dates, vocabulary, or numbers. They may not represent true knowledge.

Why is memorization the lowest form of learning? ›

During repetition, only taking information, placing and keeping it in mind come to the fore. The information received is forgotten after a while. Therefore, according to Bateson (1977), memorization is the lowest level of the learning process, that is, zero level.

Is remembering the same as learning? ›

Learning is the acquisition of skill or knowledge, while memory is the expression of what you've acquired. Another difference is the speed with which the two things happen. If you acquire the new skill or knowledge slowly and laboriously, that's learning. If acquisition occurs instantly, that's making a memory.

Is memorizing better than learning? ›

Memorizing can be an extremely useful technique. For one, memorizing something usually takes less time than understanding it does. If you're going to be tested on a subject, you can still get a good grade by studying and memorizing the topic – even if you don't understand it.

What are the disadvantages of memorization? ›

The most significant drawback of rote learning is the potential lack of understanding. Memorizing information without grasping the underlying concepts can hinder a student's ability to apply knowledge in real-world scenarios.

What are two disadvantages of learning through memorization? ›

More disadvantages associated with rote memorization include:
  • Easy loss of focus.
  • No use of social skills during rote learning.
  • Promotes short-term memory instead of long-term recall.
  • It's repetitive and tedious. ...
  • It doesn't encourage students to grow, explore, and think out of the box.
Sep 24, 2021

What is the lowest form of learning? ›

The simplest form of learning is nonassociative learning such as habituation and sensitization. These refer to a decrease or an increase in a behavioral response dependent on the number and intensity of stimulus presentations.

What is considered the lowest form of intelligence? ›

The lowest form of intelligence (if we take the standard definition of intelligence to be “the ability to acquire and apply knowledge and skills”) is mimicking, present in nonsentient animals. The mimicker does not have the neural capacity to analyze its own actions, and mimics merely because of instinct or imprinting.

What is the lowest type of learning? ›

The lowest levels of learning – Remembering and Understanding – must feature near the start of the course or curriculum. Instructors must ensure that learners have a good grasp of the content at these levels before moving on to higher levels of learning such as applying, evaluating or creating.

Why is understanding better than memorizing? ›

The Benefits of Understanding Vs. Memorizing. Unlike rote learning, meaningful learning helps students understand how all the pieces of a concept fit together and how to apply knowledge gained to new situations. It is active, constructive, engaging, and stays with students for life.

Which comes first, learning or memory? ›

Learning information initially is critical, but you must also find ways to organize information based on meaning and store that information into long-term memory for later retrieval (Sousa, 2001).

Why is it hard to memorize? ›

Because if you can't focus on the thing you want to memorize, you won't be able to recall it later. Focusing and paying attention are more difficult, so you need clarification. This interferes with your ability to perform tasks that require logical reasoning or complex thought. Sleepiness also impairs judgment.

What is learning by memorization called? ›

Rote learning, also known as memorization or repetition learning, is a technique that involves the memorization of information through repetition without necessarily understanding the meaning or significance of the information.

Is memory considered knowledge? ›

Some would argue that memory is not itself a source of knowledge, but instead is a process which we use to recall knowledge gained in the past. However, although memory refers to knowledge gained in the past, it can be argued that even new knowledge is dependent on and influenced by memory.

Is memorization a skill or ability? ›

Memorization is a skill that can be useful to people in a variety of situations, whether for work or in their personal life. You can become better at memorizing information when you actively engage in ways to make remembering information easier.

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