Rote memorization is a technique using repetition to remember facts. Students often use this technique, but adults may also find it helpful from time to time.
There are several different types of memory you utilize throughout your life. Rote memory or memorization uses repetition to remember facts, like dates, the times table, and lists.
While it can be helpful in some situations, it may not be the best strategy in all cases because you may not necessarily understand what you’re memorizing.
Rote memory is a technique to memorize facts often independent of associated meaning, emotions, or context.
Students often use rote memorization to learn facts, data, and other information to help with their schoolwork. Some common reasons students may use rote memorization include:
- memorizing times table
- learning dates of important historical events
- memorizing spelling words
- learning new vocabulary
The method behind rote memorization is to repeat information over and over until it gets committed to short-term and possibly long-term memory.
Students can then call on the memory when taking tests or quizzes or when completing work that uses the memorized information.
Adults can also use rote memory. For example, when preparing for a presentation, you may memorize key figures or facts. You may also find yourself repeating key facts that help you get your job done in order to avoid referencing manuals as frequently during the day.
Examples of rote memorization techniques
Several techniques take advantage of rote memorization. They can include:
- Mnemonic devices: chunking information or creating words out of the first letter of each list item
- Memorizing through music: use of songs or jingles
- Flashcards: help you to recall facts when presented with a small piece of information
- Repetition: verbally repeating a list to yourself
- The five senses: using more than one sense when memorizing, such as sight and hearing
Rote memorization has its place in school and beyond.
For students, it can help them learn foundational facts that teachers can help them build on in later lessons. It also allows for rapid knowledge retention, which can then help them pass tests or complete work more easily.
Rote memorization may also play a helpful role in aging. According to a
They also found that it helps to promote brain health in older individuals.
While potentially helpful in many situations, rote memorization may not be entirely beneficial.
One potential issue is that rote memorization focuses on memorizing facts and not thinking critically about them. For example, a student may memorize key historical dates but not understand the greater context of what each event means or its significance to history.
Some students, particularly those who struggle with memorizing, may find rote memorization stressful or anxiety-inducing.
Some evidence also suggests that rote memorization may only contribute to short-term memory gains.
According to the findings of a small 2018 comparative study, rote memorization only activates short-term memory. This means that once a student completes a test using the memorized facts, they quickly forget them.
The facts also serve little purpose for the students in the future. Additional larger studies are needed to fully explore and verify this study’s findings.
Rote memorization is one of several different learning techniques a student or others may find helpful. Some other techniques include:
- Mind mapping: a visual organization method that shows the connection between different ideas and concepts
- Spaced practice: memorizing and learning over the course of several weeks or sessions instead of all at once
- Interleaved practice: involves learning and practicing one skill set, diverting attention to another skill, and then returning to the first skill set to reinforce learning
- Retrieval practice: challenging your mind to recall information from a study session at a random time and not when actively trying to learn the information
- Self-explaining: involves explaining to yourself the topic you are learning about in an attempt to better understand or form an argument using learned information
- Practice testing: involves taking a mock test or exam to test your knowledge and review information to improve your results during an actual test
Rote memorization is one of many different techniques that students and adults use to recall facts. The emphasis is on rapid memorization for recall during tests, homework, presentations, or other uses.
Rote memorization does not focus on understanding what you learn or memorize. This may be one of the bigger drawbacks of it when it comes to critical thinking. Some evidence suggests that what you learn using rote memorization may also only serve a limited purpose, such as taking a test.
Others suggest it may help improve brain function and memory, at least in older adults. It can also help with learning base knowledge, which allows students to build on their knowledge and think more critically later.
Additional learning techniques can also help you recall facts and learn new information. These include practice testing, spaced practice, and mind mapping.