SCHOOL FOR THOUGHT

Using modern technology to reinforce traditional educational methods

Guest Post by Justin Birch, a writer for onlineschools.org who frequently writes for other blogs.I have divided his post into two parts, and the second part will run tomorrow.

There’s no denying that education has evolved considerably since the days of the one-room schoolhouse. Reading, writing, and arithmetic are still fundamental, but the approach to how they are learned has changed dramatically. As we move into the era of the online school, the progressive education model, focusing on learning by doing, has become the norm, and the traditional educational model, which emphasizes rote memorization and drills, has fallen by the wayside. However, a movement is underway to bring back the traditional educational techniques, leading to a debate over the value of rote memorization and drills and an exploration of how technology can be used to enhance traditional educational methods. As educational philosophies continue to evolve, it is essential that teachers and parents understand how technology can enhance all aspects of a child’s education and, in this case, how traditional educational techniques and technology can go hand-in-hand.

Mark Bauerlein, professor of English at Emory University, sees the value of rote memorization and drills to reinforce that memorization. That might be surprising to hear from a college professor at a highly respected institution, but when you hear his arguments in favor of this traditional education, it makes sense. In his blog at “The Chronicle of Higher Education,” Bauerlein writes of the benefits he finds in making his English students memorize poetry from anthologies and recite them to the class. He argues that rote memorization is a process that actually drives learning, thereby enhancing the capacity of an individual to delve deeper into a subject and learn by doing.

According to Bauerlein, there are numerous benefits to learning by rote memorization, particularly when it comes to acquiring language and developing literacy. In fact, memorizing passages of famous speeches and lines of beloved poetry force a number of cognitive changes that enhance the overall learning process in every subject. Memorization builds vocabulary. It forces the learner to slow down and think about the words they are learning, thereby enhancing their literary understanding. It assists in the development of public speaking skills, and it forces the learner to step outside of him or herself to grasp the rhythm and heart of the language. Most importantly, perhaps, it builds “mental muscle.” When students learn to memorize, they become more adept at it. It allows them to develop a reservoir of information, stored within their minds, from which they can draw to understand more difficult concepts. This holds true whether the student is learning to memorize the first few lines of the “Iliad” or the multiplication tables. Each subject will add to his or her accessible knowledge base and provide links to understanding new information.

The best way to memorize any information is through the time tested method of mnemonics. Straight memorization is not nearly as likely to persist as using memorization techniques such as rhyme, particular objects or even the Roman Memory Palace. The techniques of mnemonics, according to The Access Center, a K-8 technical assistance program for students with disabilities, have shown that students taught mnemonic techniques consistently outperform peers who have no memory training. How much more likely is a student who learned to sing their ABCs going to be able to organize books and information alphabetically than someone who didn’t learn that same song? Traditional memorization and drills have their place in developing understanding, and recognizing that is key to developing well-rounded learners who have a large knowledge base of information that will enhance their intellectual understanding.