From indiatoday
Rote Learning and Conceptual Learning are both types of learning, but they are very different from each other.
What is Rote Learning?
Rote learning is simply the storage of data in the brain. It does not require any understanding of the data being stored. Rote learning is a memorisation technique based on repetition. The idea is that one will be able to quickly recall the meaning of the matter the more one repeats it.
Where is Rote Learning useful?
Rote learning or memorisation is widely used for mastering the foundational knowledge. Its purpose is to create automaticity, so that the student will know something without having to think about it. Having multiplication tables, basic math facts, phonics, spelling and grammatical structures really well established will allow a student to speed up later on.
Why Conceptual Learning?
But if one doesn’t understand the concepts of multiplication, simple memorisation of multiplication tables is not going to get one very far in real life. Mastery of concepts is a more complex thought process that uses the facts to illustrate how something actually works. Many students know the facts but they don’t understand the concepts they illustrate, and this is the danger in over-reliance on rote memorisation.
We use math every day, but day-to-day life presents us with living math word problems, not worksheets with multiplication problems on them for us to solve. Understanding when multiplication is necessary is part of mastering the concepts of multiplication – something one won’t get from simply memorising the times tables.
What is Conceptual Learning?
Students must have the ability to apply their knowledge in today’s competitive environment. This is why conceptual learning is the key to successful education. At its core, conceptual learning enables students to use what is familiar or what they have already experienced to better understand new subject matter.
When students and learners have a firm understanding of the concepts, how they are related to one another, and a few exemplars of each concept, they begin to develop their own framework that will help them draw conclusions about any situations throughout their career.
both are useful tools, but ultimately Conceptual Learning triumphs
Thus, to sum up, rote learning can be a useful tool, but real, meaningful learning comes from the mastery of key concepts. As an educator, instructing students on the things they need to know must include explanations of the how’s and why’s, and not just the explicit facts, or else meaningful learning simply cannot take place.
– Authored by Sudhanshu Sinhal, Managing Director, Sinhal Classes Pvt. Ltd.
Note from WBISCT:
We, at WBISCT take it to heart to ensure that our courses are NOT rote learning based but in the contrary, focussed on conceptual learning.
We create and provide case studies, practice exercises, context quizzes, voluntary themed assignments and other pedagogic tools to ensure that we give all our delegates the best chances to verify their actual learning and understanding, for themselves.
This is where we believe that the real value for money stands in face-to-face and virtual classrooms.
We also believe that without the real time feedback from your facilitator, trainer or mentor, one cannot get the full value nor the skill(s) that one is after.
Proper training from reputable trainers who hold all the certifications, accreditations and vast experience, cost a lot to provide and reputable face-to-face training companies make that investment on your behalf to ensure you get that quality and quantity of skills and knowledge that you are seeking.
We push ourselves harder every single day so we keep giving you top value for your money. This is what we are after and as such we guarantee that we will provide you with such quality and quantity always, in all our courses.