What is the difference between memorizing and understanding

Please wait Learners across the world can be broadly classified into two types — one, people who learn to understand and two, people who learn to remember or recall. The people in the first category understand the concept, while the latter merely memorize the concepts to be able to recall it later. While memorizing helps commit to the memory, understanding the concept helps us gain knowledge and appreciate our education. In an attempt to understand which method of learning is better and why, we have listed down the differences between the two and their pros and cons:.

When you understand a concept, you will remember it for years whereas when you memorize the same, you will remember it for merely for days and gradually forget it. Conceptual understanding helps you understand the information on a deeper level unlike memorizing which merely touches the surface.

Marketing concepts for instance, need to be understood to be able to apply practically. Limits ability to generate insight or creative ideas. Creates a basis for generating insights and creative syntheses. Limits learning to actual words recalled. Advances the depth of learning. Inability to deduce or induce. Develops insights that come from deduction or induction.

Has trouble seeing beyond the basic concept or idea. Can see meaning, effects, results, consequences beyond the basic idea or concept. Difficult to explain ideas to someone else other than word for word. Able to use own words to explain something clearly to someone else.

It is active, constructive, engaging, and stays with students for life. Students who are taught understanding vs. They learn how to investigate, evaluate, analyze, remember, make comparisons, and communicate.

At The School in Rose Valley, all learning has a context, a meaning, and a purpose. We encourage hands-on experimentation and authentic inquiry, and students frequently reflect on their learning and follow their own questions, gradually fitting knowledge into a meaningful whole. The session will also be recorded and made available for playback at a later time for your convenience. Please click here to register.