[Miss Marple]

Well, I am an old-school type person. Certain things MUST be memorized (multiplication tables, points on the compass, capitals of states and nations, etc.) BEFORE you put it anything in context.

This is why the early years of education used to be consumed with memorization...so that the later years could concentrate on critical thinking.

[ladylib]

Education used to be based on the trivium -- grammar, logic, and rhetoric.

Classical education is becoming more and more popular, especially with homeschoolers. Maybe public schools should implement it.

[NittanyLion]

Well, I am an old-school type person. Certain things MUST be memorized (multiplication tables, points on the compass, capitals of states and nations, etc.) BEFORE you put it anything in context. This is why the early years of education used to be consumed with memorization...so that the later years could concentrate on critical thinking.

Definitely true. The problem I see is, that critical thinking is not being developed at any level.

More to your point, folks would do well to make their kids understand that not all learning is "fun". Memorization is demanding work, but it's also necessary.