Personal Computer: An Antidote to Rote Learning?

 

Explain the process of seed germination. Now the answer to the question, as explained in books has words like seed coat, embryo, plant cells etc. which kids usually mug up without actually knowing what they are or how the process takes place. But if taught using a video on a Personal Computer(PC), the same becomes all the more engaging, thereby helping students understand better and retain the information once and for all.

Likewise:

  • Instructional videos can help in the conceptual understanding of mathematics. For example, using dynamic graphs.
  • Virtual trips can make Geography very interesting.
  • PowerPoint presentations on scientific experiments can facilitate a research-oriented mind in the students.

My point being that teaching, if computer assisted, could be a useful adjunct to gain knowledge; helping students break the cycle of rote learning and embrace the path of “right” learning.

Does Rote learning work?

Rote learning is based on repetition and it might work for some. But broadly speaking, rote learning is not meaningful learning. For example, memorisation of multiplication tables through rote, hinders a child’s ability to calculate efficiently in a long run. The correct multiplication strategy if taught using a computer, may be through multiplication games, can lay a foundation for a child to solve high level mathematics aptly.

How to avoid rote learning?

A huge responsibility lies on the teacher’s shoulder to break the habit of rote learning among her students. There is no denying that every teacher tries his/her best to teach properly but if teachers today use proper tools too to enhance their teaching methodology, it can foster a good relation between a student and the books. This can be achieved with a Personal Computer in a classroom to introduce conceptual learning rather than conventional learning.

A Personal Computer, equipped with a good educational software can help the teacher show live, interactive examples related to a topic and make the learning process fun and easy.

And once a concept is clear in the mind, a student can apply it both theoretically and practically.

Dell

In addition to various websites which help a student in the subject, there are other tools in a PC which can assist them in their study process, from keeping study material and assignments organised, editing or storing files, to having an interactive study session in a virtual classroom.

The issue:

Most schools are not guided properly on the usage of Personal Computer (PC) in classrooms. Teachers too sometimes don’t feel comfortable using PC for learning due to lack of the computing skills.  And this is where a school can join hands with the Dell Aarambh team.

Dell Aarambh is a pan-India PC for Education initiative engineered to enhance learning using the power of technology; it is designed to help parents, teachers and children find firm footing in digital India. This initiative seeks to connect parents, teachers and students and provide them the required training and certifications so that they can better utilise the PC for learning, both at school and home.

By injecting life to the basic study concepts, with the help of a PC in the classrooms, schools can definitely bring positive changes in the age old methodology of educational system.

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18 thoughts on “Personal Computer: An Antidote to Rote Learning?”

  1. Hema Gayatri at 6:33 am

    This is a wonderful initiative by Dell. Loved the way you have explained the importance of practical learning.

    1. bytetrails at 1:37 pm

      Glad u liked the article. Rote learning is indeed futile. Learning backed by technology not only starta making sense but becomes interesting too.

  2. Sangeeta at 9:45 am

    I wish I had these when I was in school. It would have made understanding certain concepts easier and we would have been able to apply it better. Nonetheless happy to how technology is helping with education nowadays.

    1. bytetrails at 1:40 pm

      even I wish we had personal computers at home when I was a student. Glad my kids have this facility.

  3. Ekta at 4:34 pm

    This is a fantastic initiative by Dell. India is moving towards Digital Learning. Many classrooms are also becoming smart classrooms. Although some kids love it and others find it challenging to cope up… the upside to using digital learning for accelerated development is tremendous.

    1. bytetrails at 1:42 pm

      So that digital learning doesn’t become a challenge for students, Dell has come up with initiative where they guide teachers how to use PC effectively.

  4. Preeti tiwari at 3:22 pm

    Understanding the concept is very important for kids, I used to teach my daughter through demo videos on laptop and it makes her understand the whole thing nicely. Thanks for sharing this useful piece of information.

    1. bytetrails at 5:28 pm

      The educative videos are really helpful to understand subjects better. Thanks to personal computer even I am able to help my kids in their studies.

  5. Nisha at 4:01 pm

    I totally get the point. I remember my school days when some topics were so hard to grasp. But now those things could be easily learned because you can visualize things using personal computer.

    1. bytetrails at 5:53 pm

      Yes personal computers make study lessons easier to understand.

  6. Snehalata Jain at 10:51 am

    Teaching kids by using Computers and latest technology is the best way to make them understand things in a better way.It also makes learning fun.Very good initiative by Dell.

  7. Bushra at 5:07 pm

    It is really important to learn and understand something rather that rote learning.
    That’s great initiative by Dell to more focus on practical knowledge than rote learning

  8. Deepika at 3:04 am

    Rote learning is not so good for the learning process. We can only memorise the thing but don’t aware of the practical aspect of the concept. Great initiative by Dell.

  9. Neha Sharma at 10:46 am

    Really wish to see PC enabled interactive learning accepted by schools all over. This rote learning is so deep-rooted in our education system that even teachers put emphasis on using this method for learning.

  10. Jhilmil D Saha at 3:43 pm

    This is a great initiative by Dell, seeing this all over the internet.

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