Research Articles

Rote memorization vs. learning creatively  

Recently a book published in the United States list ten differences between competency based education and rote-memorization based education. The Indian author who has written, 'You Can Win' has become very famous all over the world since he has written his book. In a very short time 'You Can Win' has sold over one million copies all over the world.

He lists the ten bad qualities of people that are produced through a “Yad karana “system of education. Here are seven of those qualities:

1. Confusion
They are confused. Their minds are flooded by different ideas. People opinions and suggestions keep moving in their minds. They spend lots of time thinking without coming to a conclusion.

2. Blame Others
They never believe that anything wrong happening is their own fault. Instead they always find others to blame. Anytime something wrong happens to them, instead of correcting their own selves they start looking around to blame someone else.

3. Pessimistic
They can hardly find anything positive in the world they live in. Negative thoughts about different people and events keep popping into their heads. They are most pessimistic about the people nearest to them and keep wishing for something better, never to take advantage of the opportunities Allah has given them.

4. Argue
They love getting into arguments. Instead of listening, thinking and saying something productive, they get hyper the minute they hear something controversial. They are unable to listen to others point of view calmly and start thinking of a counter attach!

5. Externally Driven
They look towards others to praise them. Their basic purpose of doing something is to get other peoples attention. They lose interest in a task if they don’t get reward or appreciation from others. That’s why they are not persistent. New ideas and theories keep coming to their head, but none materialize.

6. Lack of Priorities
They are unable to arrange their work in order. They cannot do their assignments in most important to least important order. For example, they are like a firefighter who remains busy polishing his fire engine while a house burns right in front of his eyes.

7. Taker
They are always looking towards others to satisfy them. Since they are not competent, they can not create much. They don’t have much to offer anyone, but they never lose an opportunity to take from others.

Now here are the seven of the ten qualities of a person who has received competency based education (OAC):

1. Willing to Learn
Such person is always willing to learn new things. His personal ego never stops him from learning from others - young or old, friend or enemy!

2. Caring
Other peoples emotions and feeling are always important for them. They can careless of other peoples negative comments, but they really want to make sure of others comfort.

3. Confidence
They are confident in their thoughts and whatever they say.

4. Optimistic
They look at the bright side of the picture. They have this believe that Allah will make things better for them and for others. They are hopeful.

5. Disciplined
They have a personal sense of organization. Their tasks, assignments and future plans are in order. Meeting deadlines and getting to a meeting on time is important for them.

6. Desire
They have a strong inner desire for doing every work.

7. Give More than Take
They love to give others more than they take from others.

According to the author we need to have these in front of us, so we can keep evaluating ourselves. In his opinion a person can enjoy life tremendously if s/he tries to replace the first 7 with the second 7.

By
Rayed Afzal
Executive Director
New Century Education