Memorization

            Nowadays memorizing lessons is discouraged as it is an improper approach to learning lessons. Memorization is viewed as oppression imposed upon learners. Despite this, many education institutions in the East maintain the method of memorizing lessons. Lots of students of science group are found to memorize lessons. They memorize lessons for their own sake. For example, they memorize the key formulas in Algebra like (a + b)2 = a2 + 2ab + b2; a2 + b2 = (a + b)2 − 2ab; (a − b)2 = a2 − 2ab + b2; a2 + b2 = (a − b)2 + 2ab etc. Likewise, students learn some laws of science by heart. They are found to memorize Newton’s laws of motion: (1) Every object in a state of uniform motion tends to remain in that state of motion unless an external force is applied to it; (2) The vector sum of the forces F on an object is equal to the mass m of that object multiplied by the acceleration vector a of the object: F = ma. (3) For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.

            I am not sure whether or not learners of the West in their initial stage of education memorize some essential lessons. However, students in Asian countries memorize. Mode of memorization still exists in many developing countries. Memorization has some positive aspects, and as such, it still exists. However, it has negatives, and so, it is now cold to many learners.