TEDxCaltech - Sanjoy Mahajan - Rote Learning Fragments the World

Sanjoy Mahajan obtained his PhD in theoretical physics from Caltech in 1998, after an undergraduate degree in mathematics from Oxford and in physics from Stanford. Due to his wonderful teachers, he became interested in improving science teaching, an interest he has followed at the University of Cambridge, as a faculty member in the physics department;at the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences, as one of the founding faculty and the first curriculum director; at MIT, as Associate Director of the Teaching and Learning Laboratory; and at Olin College of Engineering, where he is Visiting Associate Professor of Applied Science and Engineering. In March 2010, MIT Press published his textbook "Street-Fighting Mathematics: The Art of Educated Guessing" and "Opportunistic Problem Solving," available in print and online under a Creative Commons Noncommercial ShareAlike license.

About TEDx, x = independently organized event: In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized. (Subject to certain rules and regulations.)

On January 14, 2011, Caltech hosted TEDxCaltech, an exciting one-day event to honor Richard Feynman, Nobel Laureate, Caltech physics professor, iconoclast, visionary, and all-around "curious character." Visit TEDxCaltech.com for more details.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• TEDx
• TEDxCaltech
• Caltech
• Feynman
• demonstration
• mathematics

[2008bscott]

@shutuprafa

We do need to know facts, but many times professors don't go beyond this. Learning how to apply and connect is very important to really learning science. W/purely rote learning, normally the stuff you "memorize" (as opposed to learn) is very temporary and will perhaps get you through a couple of exams (there is no incentive to retain it as there was never an app. for it). Emphasis on fact based learning (as most learning is) is not the same as the rote learning that most think of.

[shutuprafa]

I don't think he's totally right. I think you have to have some comprehension of the ideas (the dots) first in order to see the connections. One way you get comprehension of an isolated idea is via rote learning. Ideally, rote learning should be a means for getting students to the point where they can start making connections on their own. But we can't expect everyone to make connections and derive everything from first principles. Rote learning has its place, as does making connections

[Tome4kkkk]

I'm awesome in this kind of reasoning. How do I put it in my CV? :)

[endoras0666]

this actually quite insightful..