Prompt #9: Memorization in the Digital Age (Issue #10)

I believe the usefulness of memorizing facts in the 21st century is a two sided story. On one hand I believe it is an element that has been lacking and wrongfully so. In the texts, a math professor comments on how the overuse of calculators in math classes has created a dependency. Many students lose sight off some of the hidden elements in math problems (e.g. finding patterns) or suffer in doing mental math. I know many a time I am a perfect example. Yet, although some bits of information, like math, are sometimes becoming harder to remember, other bits of information that used to be memorized no longer have to be. Because technology is almost always at our fingertips, information is always at our fingertips. If your friend asked "who was the actor that replaced Sean Connery as the main James Bond character?" you may not know. But, you do have a cell phone that can search online, go to a website like imdb.com, and discover that it was in fact Roger Moore. Before, one would have to either know that bit of information or have to research for the answer through magazines and the like. And for what? It is a stupid pop culture question that does not affect your life. There is no need to remember it. But, since technology is so accessible, one does not have to remember it.
The key is to understand how to teach. Do students not rely on memorization because of technology, or because they were taught inefficiently on how to memorize? A conflicting teacher states that analysis is much more important than memorization. Understanding the big picture means more to a student than just remembering random facts. The great thing is technology can play a role in analyzing. The author states instead of using a lesson that involves ancient multiplication tables (that many times only work for short-term memory) use interactive software with edutainment video games or presenting a lesson in a new way that attracts the students' digital curiosity. Being current means being effective. Technology does not have to distract from memorization, but rather improve it. In short, if a teacher is presenting a 21st century lesson using 21st century technology, their students will be engaged, and therefore remember it more.