They are made to do so until they recall everything correctly. Thus, the basic action that rote learning does is to stimulate memory. Repetitions help strengthen the concept.

Also, things that are to be learned as they are and don’t involve strategy can be best learned with rote memorization. But, this technique may not benefit all. Thus, in this post, we bring you the advantages and disadvantages of rote learning to help understand when and for whom should it be applied.

Why rote learning is important – A quick look at researches

Researchers have done a lot of work in understanding the role of rote learning in children’s skill development. Some of the important findings that explain the role of memorizing by repetitions are enlisted below.

• English Vocabulary building in students of EFL: EFL means English as Foreign Language. Thus, students living in countries where English is taught as a second language or foreign language use rote memorizing to build their vocabulary learning strategies^[1].
• Practical Chemistry Skills Development in Students: Chemistry is a subject where a lot of memorizing of formulae, structure, and equations is required. These skills may be strongly developed with repeated reading and recalling or, in specific terms, rote memorizing^[2].
• Basic mental math activities like dodging numbers: In many exams, the students are required to solve a variety of questions in very less time. Doing their best in minimal time requires them to be fast in thinking and retrieval of concepts. A simple prior-to-exam activity like rote memorizing basic arithmetic formulae can offer more time. Thus, every quick calculation done due to learned formulas means more time for complex problems; and eventually, better performance^[3] in exams.
• Spelling learning: Though phonetics and phonemic awareness are necessary for building spellings, rote learning helps strengthen spellings^[4]. Taking cues from phonemics and applying learning by rote, the students can remember and iterate spellings in an appreciably speedy manner.

All the roles mentioned above, and studied by researchers indicate a lot about the advantages that rote learning offers. But, like every learning technique, rote learning may have its challenges too; this means, some profiles may not benefit from it. So, let’s dissect both the advantages and disadvantages of rote learning in the following sections.

1. Advantages of Rote Learning

Rote learning has a deeper impact on cranial capacity. It is found to bring added plasticity to the brain’s working. By repeating the words, numbers, or any pattern in the mind, the memory formation capacity of the brain is increased. Besides this, the other advantages of rote learning are:

• Longer retention: By the method of repeated revisions, the learners can boost their memory recall. They can retain the concept for a comparatively longer duration. Sometimes, concept retention can happen for life. Don’t we all remember multiplication tables till late in life which we rote learned in childhood? This simple example talks about sustainable skill-building that happens when students are encouraged to learn by repetitions.
• Quicker concept recall: Whenever a student is asked to answer a question, the process of answering requires concept recall. The learners can perform better in written and oral exams wherever they are asked to write the conceptual definitions, etc. It is because by rote learning they imbibe the written material as it is and reiterate the learned material in the same format. Thus, it helps them score better.
• Better display of knowledge: When you write an essay or any piece of literature, it requires you to be thorough with spelling, vocabulary, and grammar rules. Rote memorization is required to develop these basic skills required for doing complex tasks.
• Proper retention of any procedure’s steps: Rote learning^[5] is required at all stages of education and in later years too. If you have chosen to study medicine where you need to learn how to examine a patient or aim to be a surgeon, you need to learn all the steps in the correct sequence by heart in adequate repetitions. The same is applicable for doing lab tests in Chemistry class, or while modeling circuit diagrams in electrical engineering class.
• Improves concept recall among aging people: Memory boosting gets a hit when the brain ages with time^[6]. The conditions like dementia, or forgetfulness interfere with concept retention and thus, the learners feel lost and helpless. A study published in Science Daily, ‘Rote Learning Improves Memory In Seniors’^[7], supports the fact that act of memorization can give seniors’ brains the requisite exercise. Thus, they display improved levels of cranial agility.

But, there must be a reason why teachers emphasize meaningful learning or strategic thinking. It is actually due to a few disadvantages which we will cover next.

2. Disadvantages of Rote Learning

Education researchers in many countries talk about the inefficacy of only rote learning^[8] in helping learners build and retain skills. The concept is mostly limited to Singapore, Hong Kong, China, and other third-world nations. However, the educators in these countries also have started stressing understanding in conjugation with memorizing. The reasons are:

• Not fit for people suffering from limited short-term memory issues: The concept of rote learning does not go well with young children and grown-ups who suffer from poor short-term memory or other types of learning disorders. Since the learnings from the rote method are dependent entirely on one’s memory retention capacity, the people suffering from attention deficit, too, may not benefit from it.
• No derivation of knowledge from previously learned facts: A book or paper with something to repeatedly practice comes in front of a learner and they simply rehearse what is written without finding anything about the content. Thus, they cannot develop any actual learning and will simply try to retain the part they have read in their minds. The chances of learning how to apply a rehearsed material are likely to be minimal too.
• Not the correct determiner of IQ: When the Rehabilitation Act or IDEA Act that protects people with learning disabilities was not in place, only the capacity to memorize and churn out the rehearsed part was the determiner of a student’s smartness or intelligence. It was certainly not the correct way of assessment. Many scientists, painters, philosophers, musicians, etc. could not rote learn words or numbers but were masters in their area of interest.

Wrapping up,

Rote memorizing or learning is just one of the learning techniques that students need to use for meeting their academic objectives. But, the problem arises when students drift apart from meaningful learning and use it as a shortcut only to get good grades. Such people fail to survive in places where visual thinking or reasoning abilities are needed for task accomplishment or when they need to carry out a process in a strategy-driven manner. So, the problem does not lie in technique but in the way it is implemented in the teaching or learning process.

References

1. Sinhaneti, K., & Kyaw, E. K. (n.d.). A Study of the Role of Rote Learning in Vocabulary Learning Strategies of Burmese Students. David Publishing, 2012. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED539350.pdf
2. Battino, Rubin. (1992). On the importance of rote learning. Journal of Chemical Education – J CHEM EDUC. 69. 10.1021/ed069p135.
3. Rhoads, C., & Healy, T. (n.d.). Prior-to-exam: What activities enhance performance? Journal of Instructional Pedagogies. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1097126.pdf
4. Treiman R, Decker K, Kessler B, Pollo TC. Variation and repetition in the spelling of young children. J Exp Child Psychol. 2015 Apr;132:99-110. doi: 10.1016/j.jecp.2014.12.008. Epub 2015 Jan 28. PMID: 25637713; PMCID: PMC4355218.
5. Sayma M, Williams HR. A new method for teaching physical examination to junior medical students. Adv Med Educ Pract. 2016 Feb 18;7:91-7. doi: 10.2147/AMEP.S100509. PMID: 26937208; PMCID: PMC4762462.
6. Roche, R.A., Mullally, S.L., McNulty, J.P. et al. Prolonged rote learning produces delayed memory facilitation and metabolic changes in the hippocampus of the ageing human brain. BMC Neurosci 10, 136 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2202-10-136
7. Radiological Society of North America. “Rote Learning Improves Memory In Seniors.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 29 November 2006. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/11/061128084444.htm
8. David Kember | Wang Danping (Reviewing Editor) (2016) Why do Chinese students out-perform those from the West? Do approaches to learning contribute to the explanation?, Cogent Education, 3:1, DOI: 10.1080/2331186X.2016.1248187

Manpreet Singh

An engineer, Maths expert, Online Tutor and animal rights activist. In more than 5+ years of my online teaching experience, I closely worked with many students struggling with dyscalculia and dyslexia. With the years passing, I learned that not much effort being put into the awareness of this learning disorder. Students with dyscalculia often misunderstood for having  just a simple math fear. This is still an underresearched and understudied subject. I am also the founder of Smartynote -‘The notepad app for dyslexia’, 

The post Advantages And Disadvantages Of Rote Learning appeared first on Number Dyslexia.

While videos with colorful components can be a good option, a game designed specifically for the purpose is your best choice. A video game, will not only provide the students with audio-visual aids but also help them to indulge in interactive learning. 

How can online games help kids to learn?

Game-based learning is a new phenomenon in the sector of education. While audio and video have been used in schools and institutions for a long time, app-based learning is a new trend. There are many reasons why an online game can prove to be more effective in helping a student get a clear idea of vowels and consonants. Let us look at some of them:-

1. Beneficial to memory 

When a child plays a game to understand a core concept in the English language, they can memorize it better. This is because of the involvement of visual aids which help the brain to retain information. 

2. Increases attention to detail 

To engage in a game, one has to take into consideration a number of factors that go beyond the basic information provided. This is the reason why a student has to focus on all the big and small parts of the gaming procedure to actually indulge in it. 

3. Enhances problem-solving skills 

An online game is different from a video that explains a certain concept and theory. One actually has to play a game, which means the player has to solve problems that arise. This helps the student to gain important skills related to problem-solving. 

Best online Vowel learning games for kids

Online video games for kids about vowels can be of various kinds. Different games include different ways in which they draw the attention of the students, engage them, and make the concepts of vowels and consonants clear to them. Through the following list, let us look at some of the games that are available online that can be used by students to sharpen their skills regarding vowels –

1. Vowel Pairs Cat Food Spelling 

The central character in this game is Roly, the cat. Roly needs to be fed food and that can only happen when the user or the player creates words with vowels that are provided to them. This is a fast-paced game and children need to concentrate and act fast while playing this. This helps them to build and retain concentration for a longer time. Apart from vowels, children also get to practice spelling and homophones.

The engaging nature of the game keeps it from being boring and that is why kids can go on playing it even for hours. This game is best suited for 2nd-grade students. 

Game Link: Web App

2. Long and Short vowel sort

Best suited for kindergarten or first-grade kids, this game deals with long and short vowels as the name suggests. Once in the game, the player is provided with a list of objects ranging from ice cream to elephants. The game is to sort out the words with long vowels from the ones with short vowels. There are separate carts where the child is supposed to put the words that are suitable.

This game concentrates on the sounds of the words and the relationship between a letter and the sound associated with it. With its colorful arrangement and life-like animation, this keeps children hooked to it for long periods of time. 

GameLink: Web App

3. Silent E Word Sort

This is a Phonics game that helps children to differentiate between short and long vowel words. In this game, the player has to sort out the words with short vowel sounds from the words with long vowel words. They are also required to change or transform these words.

The visuals of the game are set in a school. However, the use of bright colors and elements used make it attractive to children. This helps the students playing the game to feel a balance of work and play. This game is best suited for children in the first or second grade. 

Game Link: Appstore | Web App

4. Bossy R Words spelling 

This game deals with “R” words and connects them to the use of vowels. Players are supposed to fix a bridge by completing words that have a vowel and R in them, for example – “nurse” or “fern”. The action to be performed is to save a vehicle from falling off a crack on a bridge, by repairing it with complete words.

This is a fun game because it provides the gamer with a rush to save the bus. This helps the students playing the game to understand how to work under tense situations. The Bossy R words spelling game is best suited for students in the second grade as it helps them to learn complex words and the relationship of vowels to the R-sounding words.

Game Link: Web App

5. Vowel Team Spelling 

This game is similar to the previous one in the list in many aspects. The basic setup of the game includes a bus for school kids and an obstacle in the form of the absence of a bridge. In this game, the player is supposed to use their knowledge of vowel words, and their pronunciation and apply them correctly when necessary.

The player has to provide a word before the bus stops each time. This word will be created by their knowledge of vowel teams and the relationship between letters and sounds related to vowels. Providing the word saves the bus from meeting with an accident. This game helps the students to practice complex words, their spellings, vowel sounds, and homophones. The Vowel Team Spelling game is best suited for second graders. 

Game Link: Web App

6. Short Vowel Sort 

The short vowel sort game has the same interface as the “R” word game discussed before. The game takes place in the setup of a classroom with interesting characters that appeal to a child’s imagination. In this game, the player is supposed to identify and sort out words that have short vowels.

However, the process is lengthy. In the first step, the words are presented to the player, thereafter they have to listen to the pronunciation of the word and only then, they can sort it out. This process is beneficial to the students because it helps them to associate with the words in terms of both reading and hearing. Majorly meant for first-grade children, this fun game can be played by even senior students who face problems in identifying short vowel words. 

Game Link: Web App

Why is the in-depth knowledge of vowels important?

Vowels are an integral part of reading, writing, and speaking. Every word ever created either has a vowel or a vowel sound. This is the main reason why learning vowels is extremely crucial. If a student is unconfident and unaware of the various vowel sounds, it is most likely that they will face problems in reading and writing in the future. This is the reason why children should learn about the versatility of vowels.

Apart from the basic use of vowels, one must also be informed about the importance of it in differentiating between words with the same combination of consonants but different meanings. While vowels have been taught traditionally all this while, with changing times, educators and parents are growing more open to the concept of the use of video games to inculcate the concept of vowels both in terms of writing and speaking, into the children. 

Video games have the power to engage the different senses, especially of children. This leads them to retain concentration and learn more. Video games also provide the players with a feeling of achievement due to the reward systems. Such boosts encourage them and build interest in them as well. We hope that the curated list of games will help your students, children, or wards to get a clear concept of vowels while having fun. 

Manpreet Singh

An engineer, Maths expert, Online Tutor and animal rights activist. In more than 5+ years of my online teaching experience, I closely worked with many students struggling with dyscalculia and dyslexia. With the years passing, I learned that not much effort being put into the awareness of this learning disorder. Students with dyscalculia often misunderstood for having  just a simple math fear. This is still an underresearched and understudied subject. I am also the founder of Smartynote -‘The notepad app for dyslexia’, 

The post 6 Fun Online Games For Learning Vowels appeared first on Number Dyslexia.