rant board

[Oleander]

It's a much better use of your brain to memorize one basic formula and gain an understanding of how it works, and then figure out everything from there. Any old dummy could memorize a formula sheet.

[Vortex]

Yeah. Sometimes plain memorization is unavoidable, for example, you can't understand why an important historical figure has the name it has and not another, but for the most part, understanding is much more important. At least I think so.

[Anteroinen]

Yeah. Sometimes plain memorization is unavoidable, for example, you can't understand why an important historical figure has the name it has and not another, but for the most part, understanding is much more important. At least I think so.

Luckily today's history classes are developing towards teaching the general trends and development of the areas, not pointless stuff like which king did what.

[Vortex]

My History classes were more of a mixture. I had trouble remembering that amount of facts, names, dates... that's why I failed the 1st exam, I think :B

[Anteroinen]

My History classes were more of a mixture. I had trouble remembering that amount of facts, names, dates... that's why I failed the 1st exam, I think :B

XD I think you can come out a history class about early twentieth century history these days, without knowing the years when the World Wars happened. Umm... tens and thirties?

EDIT: See, I don't even remember the decades.

[Vortex]

Yeah... wait, no... see? I don't remember already XD
Not that I've needed to rememeber that fact since the exam, either

EDIT:
first: 1914-1918.
second: 1939-1945.
Thanks Wikipedia!

[borys610]

There are some basics you must know.
Like when was Rome builded 753 bc
or
Battle of Hastings
1066

Even the dumbest polish 12-years old would know it.

[Vortex]

Of course I know the basic facts. But that doesn't mean they have any practical purpose at all, other than just for the sake of knowing.

[Anteroinen]

There are some basics you must know.
Like when was Rome builded 753 bc
or
Battle of Hastings
1066

Even the dumbest polish 12-years old would know it.

I don't know when Rome was built and I have no idea what is the battle of Hastings. I think I've never heard of it.

[borys610]

And to be honest, I hate memorizing, but it is impossible to learn anything without it. Understanding is more important, and the most important is ability to use your knowledge, when it is needed.
like this:
1-memorizing-simple science/physics formula - s:t=V
2-understanding - Why is it like this? What does it mean? How can we use it?
3-using - in real life calculating speed of something

You cant do anything without remembering formula.
And it is like this in almost every subject.
Including learning languages.
Excluding p-e.