The document contrasts rote learning and meaningful learning, defining rote learning as a memorization technique focused on repetition without comprehension, often suitable for quick recall of facts. In contrast, meaningful learning emphasizes understanding relationships between concepts, leading to deeper retention and application of knowledge. The author advocates for prioritizing meaningful learning techniques over rote memorization in education for long-term success.

1. Rote Learning
Vs.
Meaningful Learning
S.Raja kumar, M.Sc(Bot).,
M.Sc(Psy).,M.Ed.,M.Phil.,SET&NET(Edn).,
PGDGC
Assistant Professor
Thiagarajar College of Preceptors
Madurai, Tamilnadu

2. • Rote learning can be defined as a memorization technique based on
repeating the material again and again till you get through with it and
begin to memorize.
• The idea behind the rote learning is that one will be able to quickly
recall the meaning of the material the more one repeats it. Some of the
alternatives to rote learning include meaningful learning, associative
learning, and active learning.
• Rote learning is generally based on only repeating of the topics, and
not the clear understanding of the topics. Rote learning methods are
generally used when quick memorization is required, such as learning
one's lines in a play or memorizing a telephone number, also some
students opt for rote learning instead of meaningful learning method
with the clear understanding of the subject.
• Rote learning is widely used in the mastery of foundational
knowledge.

3. • Meaningful learning on the other hand refers to the concept of
learning the subject or topic with the clear understanding of all the
related facts. When learned by meaningfully, the learned
knowledge is fully understood by the individual and he also knows
well how that specific fact relates to other stored facts in his brain.
For understanding this concept, it is good to contrast meaningful
learning with the much less desirable, rote learning. Rote learning
is the method where you memorize something without full
understanding and you don't know how the new information relates
to your other stored knowledge.

4. Rote learning
• Rote learning as discussed earlier involves exactly
memorization. Remembering a particular phone number, dates,
and names are examples of rote learning. Repeating material
again and again helps a learner recall it exactly as it was
presented.
• Meaningful learning on the other hand is tied and related and
integrated to previous learning. Needless to say meaningful
learning is generally more powerful and interesting.
• Rote learning does not give you any meaningful learning
experience and you are not sure of utilizing that information
for some practical use.
• Rote learning is like singing along with a sing playing on your
I-pod or radio and after a couple of times you start to pick up
interesting lines and slowly you realize that you have learned
the whole song.

5. Some other examples of rote learning may
include:
• School topics where rote learning is frequently used include
phonics in reading and especially fill up at the time of test.
• The periodic table in chemistry, you cannot have reason for
every element placement in the table, hence most of the time
students end up cramming the position of elements in the
periodic table.
• Multiplication tables in mathematics, that most of the students
learn by rote methodology.
• Anatomy in medicine, there is no reason for the general human
anatomy and you cannot find any other memorization
technique for the anatomy. Hence only technique left is by rote
method.
• Cases or luggage's

6. • Some basic since formulae, you cannot find reason for
every small formula that you have to use in a subject. For
example a simple formulae for momentum is p = mv
which has a long two page derivation. If a student goes
on learning all these derivations he would not be in a state
to learn anything else for his examination.

7. • Rote learning avoids comprehension, so by itself it is an
ineffective tool in mastering any complex subject at an
advanced level.
• Though, it may be a good tool for just memorizing something
or the other, but not if you need to utilize that information for
some practical purpose.
• For instance, one illustration of Rote learning can be observed
in preparing quickly for exams, a technique which may be
colloquially referred to as "cramming". Cramming may
sometimes help you score decent grades sometimes but not
every time.
• Also it is a fact that cramming won’t help you out in long run.
Every topic that is being taught has its bigger significance
somewhere in future, and at that time you end up with no
information left in your brain.

8. • Talking about studies, rote learning finds some usefulness by
students in math and science. Rote methods are often used, for
example to memorize formulas or tables.
• There is greater understanding if students commit a formula to
memory through exercises that use the formula rather than through
rote repetition of the formula. But most of the students find it quite
useful to just cram the periodic table position, formula or tables in
mathematics as understanding of these topics my involve a lot of
explanation and derivation work, that may become really complex
and awkward for a student.
• Standards always recommend that students derive formulas
themselves to achieve the best understanding and utilization. Nothing
can faster than rote learning if a formula is to be learned quickly for
an important test and rote methods can be helpful for committing an
understood fact to memory.
• However, it is often observed that students who learn with
understanding are really clear with all the facts and are conveniently
able to transfer their knowledge to tasks requiring problem-solving
with greater success than those who learn only by rote.

9. Meaningful Learning
• Meaningful learning is very important form the student point of view.
Meaningful learning in today's competitive world holds the key to success.
• These days it is not just your grades that matter to be successful; it is
something more than that. These days in interview you are tested on your
practical skills and practical knowledge before looking at your result
cards.
• Once you clear your interview level based on knowledge and facts, then
only you are asked about your grades and qualifications. Hence proper
knowledge is must for anyone to be successful these days. Developing a
capability of 'learning to learn' and higher-level thinking skills is a life-
long practice and must be hones on a continual basis.

10. • Meaningful learning helps us a lot in fact our brain is designed for
meaningful learning only. Our brain works in an associative way
and our memory serves us in a chained structure. Existing
knowledge acts as mental block for new learning to occur.
• Once we learned something by meaningful method with full
clarity, we are able to relate that knowledge with every relevant
piece of information about that topic in our brain and possess a
confidence of utilizing that information properly in our profession
also.
• People displaying memory skill often contend that by establishing
a visual relationship between seemingly disconnected or unrelated
objects or numerals, their retention is enhanced. Hence it would
not be wrong to say that we do learn a lot by the process of
watching something happen in practical rather than just cramming
it theoretically.

11. Some suggestions on how to ensure meaningful learning:
• Make sure what you learn is in your proximal zone.
• Highlight more on the application rather than just learning.
• Make sure you have proper reason for everything that you are learning.
• If there is any doubt, ask your teacher how some new knowledge is related
to other course material.
• Have a study partner ask you questions that require recall of related
material.
• Try to make some effective memorization points to remember the things
that you have learned.
• Strictly avoid cramming as far as possible, even for some basic formulas
that you may find easy to just cram.
• Make a figure that illustrates what you should know about a specific topic
and its related material.
• Don not mix up the things by picking up multiple topics at same time. You
may be good in multi-tasking but that won’t work in the case of learning.

12. • Human mind is generally very good at meaningful learning compared
to rote learning. It is worth noting that computers are good at
replicating people aren't. So, if you are teaching facts it is very
obvious that the repetition is a part of the program.
• If you choose to teach meaningful material then you will need a
different strategy for effective teaching. Meaningful material cannot
be learned immediately. Meaningful learning requires clarification of
all the facts and doubts related to the topic.
• Once a concept or principle is learned it needs to be strengthened.
That comes with practicing, remember practice, not cramming.
Strengthening involves relating the material to other ideas some of
those already in your mind, it also involves summary; it involves
stretching an ideas to see how they connect.
• This strengthening process increases the new material's distinctness; it
creates new dimensions and prevents the material from becoming
absorbed by what was previously known, although mind is in a state to
relate this newly gained information with the previous information
relating to the topic. This distinctness will make the material
retrievable and applicable to new circumstances.

13. Conclusion
• Rote memorization is a means to an end, there is no replacement to
effecting learning techniques. It is nit that rote learning is a total waste,
but there should be limit and reason.
• Rote method should only be used in at selected levels and cases only. For
example, memorizing the times tables is a perfect example of a useful
application of rote memorization, but clear understanding of the concepts
of multiplication is also very important, simple memorization of the
times tables is not going to get one very far in real life.
• Parents and educators need to be wary of situations in which a child may
have memorized a bunch of information that he / she doesn’t actually
understand.
• It would be really helpful for students in the long run if teachers and
trainers lay more emphasis in the meaningful learning techniques and try
to keep away cramming and rote learning methods.

14. •Thank u