Education and memorisation are two peas in a pod. While memorisation is for instant gratification, deep understanding sticks a while longer.
It is essential to understand and learn deeply rather than rely on mere memorization, if you wish to acquire knowledge. Memorisation is something that most students do. While this helps to solve the present task, it is not a long-term solution to learning.
This article will highlight tips on how to progress from memorisation to mastery to achieve deep learning. Let’s dig in!
Rote Memorisation & Mastering Learning
This refers to a learning technique that concentrates on memorising information through repetition. This type of reading or learning does not necessarily help to understand the meaning or context of the subject before you.
Rote memorisation can be likened to cramming, because it offers similar benefits and is achieved in the same way. Other benefits of rote memorisation include time efficiency, quick recall, and the ability to establish a foundation for learning.
On the other hand, mastery learning refers to a situation whereby students have a high level of understanding as they move from one academic step to the other. This concept ensures that the gaps in knowledge are properly and timely provided to prevent future misconceptions. Mastery learning helps students achieve a high level of competence.
Read here: How To Stop Being An Average Student
Strategies for Deepening Understanding
Transitioning from memorisation to mastery requires a lot of effort on your part. Mastery does not entail just knowing some basics and details of the subject. Rather, it refers to being able to apply, analyze, and combine what you have learned in different contexts.
This requires a deviation from the conventional assessment methods, teaching strategies, and learning environments.
The following are ways to do this;
Active Learning
This indicates being mindful and present while learning. It entails engaging in activities that require you to think critically, solve problems, and apply the concepts learned. For active learning to take place, you need to interact with the material actively. Techniques for achieving this include:
- Performing hands-on experiments.
- Participating in group discussions.
- Engaging in problem-based learning.
Leveraging these tips helps to strengthen learning. It also helps to understand the subject and cease being just passive receivers of information.
Focusing on Conceptual Comprehension
This is a different level from just memorising the facts. Conceptual understanding entails learning the “how” and “why” beyond the stated facts. A good subject example is mathematics, which has tons of formulas. So, rather than just memorising the formulas, deep learning entails understanding the principles behind them and how the proponents came to that conclusion.
This type of understanding is not achieved by just reading words in textbooks. Using real-life scenarios, visual aids, and analogies helps to make these ideas seem more concrete than abstract.
Critical Thinking
Have you ever thought about why you think the way you do? Well, this is referred to as metacognition and it plays a vital role in achieving mastery. You need to be in tune with your learning processes. This way, you can regulate your understanding and find the techniques that work for you in solving problems.
Since we are all unique beings, one person’s approach may vary from the other. So, whether you use think-aloud methods, self-assessment, or reflective journals, the lesson here is to understand your learning strengths and capabilities.
Interdisciplinary Learning
This type of learning combines the knowledge and skills from different subjects. This lets students able to make connections between different areas of study. It also helps to understand the relevance and application of learning these subjects in different scenarios.
One way through which learning institutions foster interdisciplinary learning is through project work. Project-based works usually require skills from different disciplines to complete.
Formative Assessment
This is another tool that can be used to measure understanding. It is a type of feedback that helps to identify the weak points of students. It is different from the summative assessment that evaluates understanding at the end of a teaching period.
Some of the techniques used to achieve this include peer reviews, quizzes, personal conferences, etc. In short, it helps to gain valuable insights into their understanding level and offer guidance and teaching adjustments.
Conclusion
Switching from memorisation to mastery necessitates a proactive approach. This entails all of which has been explained above from active learning to conceptual comprehension, etc. By implementing these strategies, you get to create an environment where you can retain information, and also develop a deep and transferable comprehension of the subject topic.
As a result, this prepares students for academic success, the stamina for lifelong learning, and real-world applications.
Read also: Bad Memory: 5 Effective Steps To Let Go
