Learning Vs. Memorization; The Joys of Education

Professor Why Do I Need To Know This Again?

(Turn to page 394.)

"Why do I need to know this?" A question I've heard many colleagues ask throughout the years. Honestly, unless you have photographic memory, there is hardly a point to memorizing most of the meaningless shit we're told to memorize in school. For instance: Math. There are more formulas than anyone could ever possibly memorize--sure remember the basics, know some of the key formulas, but is it really necessarily to know ALL of the formulas from chapter 1 until the last chapter for the grand go-fuck-yourself finale?

Wherever does learning come into play? Well an oddity I've found is that when a question is written in the same way repeatedly, a student will answer correctly every time. This is ONLY because they have memorized it being written in that particular framework. If it's written differently? Their mind retreats back to a realm of innocent ignorance. Stumped back pedaling to toddler-hood. They didn't learn, they memorized a pattern. The ability to identify why the question is written in that way, how it can be arranged to suit ones' needs, and most importantly what the fuck the question is asking--that is what's most important, and it isn't solely gained from bullshit memorization.

No, Really Why?

  
(10 points from Gryffindor, bitch.)

We memorize a few pieces of information to help us learn, we learn skills to help us solve problems.

"So Brian, you're saying the memorization is the backbone? What's your fucking deal then? How is this 'learning' any better?"

The gripe I have with many teachers/ professors/ mentors/ tutors is this: they forget about the learning. Is it really that much of an awful task to assist students in developing skills? It's much easier to say: "Memorize this, read it back to me." The answer will be exactly the same. Every. Single. Time. Consequently, that particular subject you were supposed to "learn," became copy pasted word vomit that you'll never fully grasp. Although, it's easier for any professor/teacher to grade, and they still get paid (Yes, if you've attended U.S. public education in your life chances are you've had a teacher like this). Does this help in future classes where the curriculum is based on certain subjects you should have already known as a prerequisite? NOPE. Does it help with life? HMMM?

"There Is No Such Thing As A Stupid Question"

(...)

What are two the most harrowing tasks in school? The paper of all papers: The Research Paper. In math's case: The Word Problem. Nothing to regurgitate here is there? Within these two examples of frequent academic occurrences, everything is murky. Journeying through these dark and twisted mystical lands requires a wide array of precision tools. Memorization may as well be a rotten carcass of an Ox you've dragged along for sustenance. If one hasn't learned how to find sources for their research paper, how to break word problems apart they won't make it through. Dependency on memorization everything hinders the learning process to a point where we can't seem to figure things out on our own. 

I had a professor once, back in the 70s. We took LSD and listened to The Doors. We'd talk about how we could finally "break on through to the other side" as the floor sifted around us like sand in motion and the surrounding colors of the room could be heard, and the sounds could be seen. In all seriousness though, I did have a professor who believed in open book, open note tests. The catch? He'd create the most diabolically difficult questions imaginable. I had all the resources needed to solve the problem myself. Only two skills were needed: recognition and being able to reference the information in case I didn't completely recognize it. It was at this point where I really understood the difference between memorization and learning. 

All those times I would frustratingly say "I don't understand this!" It was because I didn't. I memorized what I was told, and I needed to actually learn about the subject if I wanted to get through a standardized test. "Why is this question written this way?" A teacher might respond with "Because it is." While a test would take advantage of my lack of understanding with a fat red obnoxious "X."

What was that about life?

These skills follow us. Referencing information and using whatever tools are provided to create solutions...THIS is the amazing byproduct of learning. The retail and fast food employee requires simple tasks like remembering what buttons to press on the register, counting money, etc. Then there are businessmen, creators, and engineers. They can take the chaos of life, break it down into pieces, and make sense of it--building new enterprises and establishing themselves in the world. 

Lo and behold! If anyone is having an issue solving any problem there is a special modern day resource we may use to reference ANYTHING. The internet: although not always correct, there are several places one may look to find legitimate information. Where mentors fail there is always a Google search. Cross reference what you've found to make sure it isn't bogus and move on. The internet is an unlimited source of knowledge and fucked up porn, use it!