Rote Learning is no Learning at all

Kapil Edke explains the problems in education system which emphasises on rote learning or memorisation. He suggests that the evaluation criteria should instead be focussed on application of the concepts.

Fortunately, while in school, I was not one of those who used to study 24 x 7 or whose Moms used to make them study all the time. Of course, I was also not at the other spectrum of pupils who used to hate the studies and would hold the textbook only on the day before examinations. I had my favourite subjects and areas, which used to keep me interested in this whole system of school and education and teachers. I was particularly strong in Mathematics and languages. But rote learning or memorisation was something which used to drive me away from studies. I had realised quite early on in my life that memorising anything might fetch a few extra points in exams but I was not going to remember anything after a few days and hence the whole exercise would be futile.

Looking back now, I realise how practical I was then! The problem is in the education system which encourages people to memorise. Of course, I am not terming anything and everything which requires memorisation as useless. There are certain aspects of study which do require rote learning. For example, one is required to remember word forms and grammar rules in Sanskrit. In Mathematics, one has to memorise certain formulae, not just at school level but even at graduate and post graduate levels. However what irritates me is any kind of exam system which focuses on memorising the concepts without testing their application. Thus, I am not against memorising Sanskrit word forms, as one is normally expected to apply them in exam in sentence structuring. I am also not complaining about remembering Mathematics formulae as one would solve problems using them. However, I think the questions like "write short note on" (which is never short), "briefly explain ...." and "describe in brief" simply test short term memory of the students and grade them accordingly, without ever testing their real understanding of the subject.

This system of rote learning also makes the life of school students miserable. That's because it takes so much time to study that they are left with hardly any time for any other activity. The students who succeed in this short term memory test may shine for some years, but find it really tough to stand in competitive examinations post 10th and 12th like IIT's, Olympiads and NDAs.

How can this situation be improved? I think our teachers as well as parents should work towards abolishing any kind of rote learning system which lacks application. Teachers should set the evaluation systems which test the real understanding of the student and not his memory. This would mean questions like small cases, multiple choice questions, spontaneous speeches etc. Parents should observe how the child studies at home and discourage him from memorising anything, if he is doing so only for the purpose of writing answers.

My favorite comedy TV series

The following article written by Kapil Edke mentions some of the all time best comedy series ever aired on Indian television channels.

Who doesn't like comedy? I think everyone does. That's because comedy has the power to make us happy and forget out tensions and troubles for a while and enjoy the present moment. Since childhood, I am inclined towards reading comedy books, writing comedy articles and watching comedy films, dramas and TV series.

In this blog, I would like to make a mention of some of the best comedy TV series I have enjoyed. Perhaps, you have enjoyed them, too. If this blog helps you remembering your old childhood days when you grew up laughing while watching these series, I would assume that the purpose of this blog has been met.

One of those is Jaspal Bhatti's Flop Show. Mr. Jaspal has shown day-to-day problems in common Indian's life like water shortage, power cuts, inflation, corruption etc. albeit in very different fashion. It is such a wonderfulo series which not just makes us laugh while watching, but makes us seriously think about these problems which are plaguing our society for decades and yet we as a nation have not been able to find an effective solution. This great actor, unfortunately, could never again come up with another comedy which could match the high standards set by himself. No one else, too, could produce a comparable comedy in last 20 years. In that sense, Flop Show occupies a special place in our hearts.

Another one which makes me wonder is Small Wonder. This series in America of 1980's does not make us feel culturally disconnected. The joke quality is simply awesome. I have watched this series in Hindi and the dubbing is one of the best qualities I have ever seen (otherwise, most of the art works seem to loose their lustre when they are translated as we see commonly). Also, presence of children in any series makes it more effective, I must say. It makes us feel younger, makes us recall our school days and energizes us. This is surely one series I can watch again, again and yet again.

The third and last one I would mention in this article is Didi's Comedy Show. This guy, Didi is a German comedy actor called Dieter Hallervorden and has acted in many shows and movies, I understand. What was shown on Doordarshan in early 1990's were probably his best episodes. I was too young at that time and most of his jokes being action-oriented used to make me laugh like anything.

Probably, you too have seen these three series. The number of channels on the television when these series were aired were very few, and most of the good programmes were watched by almost everyone, so the chances of missing anything good were remote. It is sad to note that today, we have so many channels and hundreds of options, but quality has deteriorated drastically.

Blog Writing

Kapil Edke explains why one must blog

Why should one write blogs? After all, this craze for writing blogs has started only after invention on internet, and that too, particularly in last 5 years. Does anyone other than the writer read the blogs? Is it not waste of time and energy?

Well, blogging gives one platform to express his thoughts. Writing blogs gives inner satisfaction of converting our feelings into written words. It's always better if we express our feelings instead of keeping them close to our heart, isn't it? After all, science has proved it that those who are more open and forthright live longer than those who suppress their feelings.

Blogging promoters creativity. Earlier, writing articles used to be the domain exclusively reserved for article writers. But that does not mean that others can't write. Now, anyone can write any article and make it available to the everyone. It is almost as if you have your own publication.

Blogging improves language skills. Here, I am not talking just about English. You may write blogs in any language including your mother tongue. That would help you stay in touch with written form of that language. I have come across several people who find it very difficult to write letters. That's because they have no writing practice after living school and college. Blogging is one way you can overcome this difficulty.

Blogging enhances your knowledge. For writing a blog, you may have to refer to some information or recollect something you have read already. That helps you to gain and effectively use knowledge and more importantly, spread it.

Blogging can help you make connections. You can find people who write blogs on similar subjects and get in touch with them, form your own network.

Have you still not made up your mind when you wish to start blgging? Lol....