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From: fhm@cbosgd.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.social
Subject: Re: Results of State Capitals survey
Message-ID: <259@cbosgd.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 30-Aug-83 21:41:23 EDT
Article-I.D.: cbosgd.259
Posted: Tue Aug 30 21:41:23 1983
Date-Received: Thu, 1-Sep-83 05:26:35 EDT
References: <258@cbosgd.UUCP>
Organization: Bell Labs, Columbus
Lines: 23

I just read Mark's article on naming state capitals.  I was interested to
note that my average was about the same as the rest.  But I was somewhat
uncomfortable with the letter.  Some people have excellent memories for
almost everything.  Some people have poor memories for almost everything.
Most people have good memories for certain things.  Though I agree that
rote for the sake of grades is poor waste of time, I do think that students
should be encouraged to experiment with their own memory.  They should find
out where it is good and where it is poor.  Then, if the poor areas are
ones that are important, they should be taught ways to supplement their
memory in those areas.  Those people with good memories should be
encouraged to use them to good advantage.

Now I agree that the present educational system doesn't look at
memorization in this light, but the letter doesn't make the point either.
Instead, it sounds anti-memory.  I would feel more comfortable if the
letter approached memory as one skill and pointed out that remembering state
capitals was not a very good indication of how that skill has been developed
in one particular group of individuals who clearly have good memories for
some things.

Frank Myers
Bell Labs, Columbus
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