Some people swear by Rote Learning as a tried-and-true method.
Others vehemently dislike this learning approach, even going so far as to dramatically label rote repetition as “drill and kill.”
What’s the real story?
And just how is this supposedly deadly form of repetition actually defined in the context of learning?
On this page, we will delve into the details so you can make well-informed decisions about your learning strategies, based on scientific evidence rather than mere opinions. From my early days as an undergraduate exploring science and critical thinking to my time teaching at York, Rutgers, and the University of Saarland in Germany, I’ve always emphasized the importance of a science-based approach to learning.
Beyond simply explaining why rote learning is problematic from a scientific and critical perspective, I’ll also introduce you to alternative learning methods that are engaging and far from boring.
Ready to discover more effective ways to learn?
Let’s dive in!
What Exactly Is Rote Learning?
Rote learning occurs when you repeatedly expose yourself to information with the goal of transferring it into your long-term memory, but without incorporating any creative or strategic elements to aid in memorization.
This method of raw repetition can indeed lead to memorization, but it demands a significant investment of time. Moreover, when it comes to fields like language acquisition, research such as this study indicates that rote learning alternatives, particularly mnemonic techniques, are considerably more effective.
In a broader context, research has demonstrated that rote learning can actually be detrimental to your overall learning ability. This study is not isolated in its findings, with multiple studies echoing these effects.
Given these drawbacks, why do people still rely on rote learning?
Typically, rote learning is adopted because it’s the predominant learning method taught in conventional educational settings. It does have some applications, for example, in music. Rote memorization can also occur somewhat automatically. Think about learning to ride a bicycle; your procedural memory utilizes repetition to establish deep neural pathways, ensuring you retain this skill throughout your life.
Examples of rote learning include:
- Repeating multiplication tables.
- Memorizing historical dates by constant rehearsal.
- Learning vocabulary lists through simple repetition.
- Practicing musical scales repeatedly.
I also used repetition when rehearsing my TEDx Talk multiple times to perfect my speech delivery. This illustrates a scenario where a limited amount of rote repetition can be beneficial.
The Core Issue: Why Rote Memorization Is Inefficient
For centuries, individuals seeking more effective learning methods have turned to memory techniques as a superior alternative to rote learning. This shift is driven by several key reasons:
- Boredom and Discouragement: Rote learning is almost universally tedious and can quickly lead to discouragement and lack of motivation.
- Time Inefficiency: It demands more time and effort compared to more strategic learning methods, making it less practical for busy learners.
- Lower Effectiveness: Rote learning simply isn’t as effective at long-term retention and deep understanding as techniques like active recall, which engages multiple senses and cognitive processes.
If rote memorization is so demonstrably inferior, why is it still so prevalent compared to mnemonic strategies?
According to Carla Hannaford in her book, Smart Moves: Why Learning Is Not All In Your Head, the success of drugs like Ritalin can be partially attributed to their ability to help students endure the drudgery of repetitive learning without any meaningful multi-sensory engagement.
This perspective suggests that societies have, in some ways, opted for medicating children to cope with ineffective teaching methods rather than addressing the fundamental issue of making learning inherently engaging and enjoyable.
However, is repetition itself inherently negative?
Certainly not.
Consider music again. Repetition is essential when you aim to commit song lyrics to memory. Repetition is also crucial in ear training and instrumental practice, often referred to as “dedicated practice” by musicians.
Even within music, however, the repetitive nature of practice can induce boredom. Memory gains achieved through such monotonous repetition are described as “incidental learning” by researchers I.C. McManus and Peter Richards, highlighting its less deliberate and perhaps less impactful nature.
In almost every instance, there are more engaging and effective alternatives. For example, you can use interleaving to add variety to your study sessions. Interleaving involves switching between different subjects or skills you are learning, which can make the learning process more dynamic and less monotonous.
There are numerous other drawbacks to rote learning, most of which are easily avoidable by adopting better strategies.
Firstly, rote learning typically doesn’t encourage deep thinking about the material. It’s primarily focused on the act of repetition itself, neglecting cognitive engagement.
This singular focus on repetition for its own sake not only makes learning dull but also deprives you of the benefits of critical thinking that come from engaging with information on a deeper, more analytical level.
Rote learning also treats the brain as if it were a “linear library,” simply storing facts in isolation. This approach misses the advantages of what I often call the “rhizomatic effect,” which is experienced when using a Memory Palace Network to generate new insights and knowledge by connecting deeply understood information in meaningful ways.
Furthermore, rote repetition squanders valuable time that could be used to enjoy and actively engage your mind and imagination in more stimulating learning activities.
Finally, relying on rote repetition hinders your ability to benefit from memorable conversations and deeper social learning experiences, as it prioritizes passive intake over active processing and interaction.
What Are Better Alternatives To Rote Memorization?
I strongly recommend adopting mnemonics to accelerate information retention and make learning more effective and enjoyable.
A great starting point for exploring memory techniques is the pegword method. This mnemonic strategy involves assigning a vivid, dynamic image or shape to each number or letter. For example, you might associate the letter ‘C’ with a ‘cat’.
Having such simple, personalized associations makes tasks like learning spelling rules far more engaging and memorable. This approach aligns with the principles of active recall mentioned earlier because you are actively personalizing and interacting with each element you need to remember.
You can develop similar personalized image systems for numbers as well. For this, I suggest learning the Major System and combining it with techniques like rhyming or storytelling and the method of loci (Memory Palace). These combinations make learning number systems engaging and deeply immersive.
Is there solid evidence that these techniques are effective?
Absolutely. There’s a wealth of proof.
In the field of language learning, Dr. Richard Atkinson’s research has clearly demonstrated the significant underperformance of rote learning compared to effective mnemonic strategies. Many of my students have shared their remarkable successes using these methods, and my podcast has featured numerous top memory athletes as guests who advocate for these techniques.
Interestingly, in experiments that have been consistently replicated by researchers globally, Atkinson found that students using rote learning could successfully recall only about 28% of vocabulary from lists.
In stark contrast, participants who used techniques like the Memory Palace showed a significantly higher retention rate of 88% or even better. Dr. David Reser and Tyson Yunkaporta recently achieved even more impressive results by incorporating Aboriginal memory techniques into a follow-up study, further validating the power of mnemonic approaches.
Lynne Kelly, a leading Australian memory expert and author of The Memory Code, was recently honored as a Member of the Order of Australia for her contributions to memory research, underscoring the recognized importance of this field.
Given this evidence, what learning path would you prefer?
Would you choose to stick with rote learning and potentially recall only about 28% of what you study correctly?
Or would you rather embrace more meaningful learning and comprehension techniques that offer significantly better results? If you’re interested in exploring these powerful alternatives further, get access to this free course now:
Limited Benefits of Rote Learning
So far, we’ve painted a fairly negative picture of rote learning.
However, it’s important to acknowledge that rote practice does have its place, particularly in areas like music, speech delivery, and even spiritual practices, as we’ve touched upon.
While rote learning might hinder critical thinking in children if overemphasized, there might be specific situations where it could offer some benefits for certain adults.
For example, research by Po Li Tan suggests that adults who were primarily taught through rote methods in their early education might still find some benefit from it later in life, possibly due to familiarity and established learning habits.
Other research has indicated that even individualized learning plans can sometimes devolve into rote learning, which has not always yielded positive outcomes for students in educational systems like that of Sweden.
Ultimately, the most effective learning approach is highly individual. Each person must determine what works best for them and cultivate honest self-assessment regarding their learning effectiveness. Sometimes, engaging in rote learning can provide a sense of activity and progress.
However, if this “over-learning,” as some call it, doesn’t actually translate into real accomplishment and deeper understanding, then the perceived benefit of simply being busy with learning tasks becomes an illusion.
Rote Learning vs. Meaningful Learning: A Crucial Distinction
You might question why the scientific success rates we discussed earlier are so significant. It might seem, on the surface, that it simply boils down to time investment.
Looking at it solely from a time perspective, you might think that if rote learning only yields 28% retention, you just need to spend more time repeating the material to compensate.
This is not the case, however.
By doubling down on rote memorization, you are also sacrificing the crucial development of critical thinking skills.
As Linda Jakobson points out in her book, Innovation with Chinese Characteristics: High-Tech Research in China, societies that heavily rely on rote recall in education tend to exhibit weaker critical thinking abilities.
This is particularly concerning because effective problem-solving requires the ability to “mentally rotate” information, examining it from multiple perspectives and angles.
The relative absence of rote repetition in educational approaches in parts of Europe and the United States may be a contributing factor to the thriving cultures of individualism, innovation, and freedom found in these regions.
Historically, a learning method known as Ars Combinatoria was more widely practiced. This approach promoted a form of learning sometimes called “inner writing,” a type of “creative repetition” that depended on deep and meaningful engagement from the learner.
Meaningful learning can incorporate various tactics, such as:
- Guided discovery learning.
- Sensory learning that engages multiple senses.
- Physical interaction with learning materials, for example, through mind mapping.
- Collaborative and social learning experiences.
- Combining writing with speaking for enhanced articulation and understanding.
- Integrating listening with speaking, such as through debates and discussions.
- Developing highly personalized learning plans tailored to individual needs and styles.
A Compelling Example: Mnemonics as a Powerful Alternative
Is rote learning entirely ineffective?
To a degree, it can work, especially if you have ample time and exceptional patience.
However, for optimal learning outcomes, repetition should always be “creative repetition,” infused with engagement and active cognitive processing.
A straightforward way to minimize the amount of repetition needed and ensure deep immersion in your learning material is to use KAVE COGS, or what we refer to as the Magnetic Modes in the Magnetic Memory Method Masterclass.
Let me illustrate with a simple example from my Sanskrit meditation project to show how quickly I learned something with minimal repetition.
When learning a Sanskrit word pronounced like “tesham,” meaning “unto them” or “for those,” I didn’t just repeat it over and over.
Instead, I focused on the “tes” part of the word and visualized Nikola Tesla driving a Tesla car over a Christmas ham. This bizarre image connected to the meaning “for those” by associating Tesla’s dedication to humanity with the idea of the phrase being “for those who are always devoted to reality itself,” which is the deeper meaning of the entire line I was learning.
Then, I applied KAVE COGS to deepen my engagement with the word’s sound and meaning:
- Kinesthetic – Feeling myself in the driver’s seat of the Tesla, as if I were Tesla himself.
- Auditory – Hearing the powerful roar of the Tesla engine.
- Visual – Vividly picturing the scene of the Tesla driving over the Christmas ham.
- Emotional – Experiencing Tesla’s intended purpose of helping those devoted to reality.
- Conceptual – Reflecting on the meaning of the Sanskrit text and understanding who Nikola Tesla was.
- Olfactory – Smelling the distinct aroma of the Christmas ham.
- Gustatory – Imagining the taste of the ham.
- Spatial – Considering the physical dimensions of the car and the ham in my mental space.
By engaging with the word in such a multi-sensory and deeply connected way, I learned it almost instantly and retained it permanently after just one pass.
I’ve successfully memorized more Sanskrit phrases than I ever thought possible using this method. The incredible part is that the same techniques I use for language learning also enabled me to memorize the names of all my students within minutes when I was a university professor.
In conclusion, rote learning is often tedious and inefficient. In contrast, memory techniques are scientifically validated and can be incredibly enjoyable. All that’s required is for you to begin.
So, what do you say?
Are you ready to ignite your mind and start learning effectively for a real change?
