Memorisation of facts and figures is useless for our generation.
Being able to look up facts and figures instantly online, it is debatable whether it is still necessary for students to learn information by heart. However, I believe that there are substantial benefits to memorising key facts. Those who would agree that memorisation is now an outmoded skill would contend that the time teachers spend drumming information into their students could be better employed in teaching them how to think. It is certainly a practical approach as this way students learn how to interpret and apply the knowledge. This critical thinking skill comes in handy when looking for a job as it is now highly valued by employers, leading to an overall greater emphasis on such skills within the field of education.
On the other hand, having spent a great deal of time learning my times tables as a child, I am now able to easily do simple sums in my head, and I greatly value that ability. Naturally, we all have access to a calculator on our phones these days, but do we really want to be so utterly dependent on technology? We should be able to do basic maths unaided, and we ought to have at least a rudimentary knowledge of world history and science. There is also an argument that we need to continue to use our capacity to memorise or it is likely to atrophy. The brain is quick to adapt to the new normal, and discard any skills it perceives as unnecessary. In conclusion, while it is of course important to leave room in the curriculum for developing creativity and thinking skills, it is ultimately vital that we continue to memorise. I would therefore argue that we need to retain both our ability to do so, and our ability to function without being reliant on technology.
Questions:
1. What is the main argument against memorising facts and figures?
Answer: "Those who would agree that memorisation is now an outmoded skill would contend that the time teachers spend drumming information into their students could be better employed in teaching them how to think."
2. What benefit does the author mention from memorising facts like times tables?
Answer: "Having spent a great deal of time learning my times tables as a child, I am now able to easily do simple sums in my head, and I greatly value that ability."
3. What is the concern about over-reliance on technology?
Answer: "Naturally, we all have access to a calculator on our phones these days, but do we really want to be so utterly dependent on technology? We should be able to do basic maths unaided..."
4. What does the author suggest would happen to our memory skills if we don’t continue to use them?
Answer: "There is also an argument that we need to continue to use our capacity to memorise or it is likely to atrophy. The brain is quick to adapt to the new normal, and discard any skills it perceives as unnecessary."
5. What does the author believe is ultimately necessary in the curriculum?
Answer: "In conclusion, while it is of course important to leave room in the curriculum for developing creativity and thinking skills, it is ultimately vital that we continue to memorise."
