Students' readiness

Let's start with the general difference between memorization and understanding.

Now, you should a solid understanding of the difference.

Let's summarize these differences and bring in some other aspects.

Memorizing information will help you in certain situations where you have to recall that information accurately, e.g. exams. But generally, that kind of knowledge will be lost at some point. But even here are some differences that might enable you to recall the memorized information at a later point in life.

• Memorizing by simply repeating the information over and over again. This is the most common way of memorizing information. Depending on the learner, this might be effective, even for a longer period of time, but for the majority of learners, that kind of knowledge will only be available temporarily.
  
• Memorizing and consciously creating associations. This is also called "associative learning". For instance, you have to learn several formulas in physics. On your desk, you have a cup full of coloured pens. Now, let's try to memorize the formula for mass (volume times density) and associate it with the green pen in your cup. And now the next formula with another pen. And so on. At the end, when you are in your exam you can recall the cup on your desk with all the pens and recall the formulas when you focus on a specific pen. Fun fact - every time from then on when you see a green pen, you will always think of the formula for mass. At least until you make a more important/distinctive association with a green pen.
  
• When there is a conscious way of doing something, then there is also an unconscious way. In regard to memorization, there is also the option for unconscious associative learning, mainly through emotions and sensory impressions. For instance, every time you study mathematics, you light a vanilla flavoured candle. After several study sessions, every time you smell a vanilla flavoured candle you will think of mathematics. Depending on how focused you've studied, you might even recall details. But in general, the unconscious associations will be made by accident or coincidence.

Understanding, on the other hand, is comprehending information and concepts. Usually, the learner works with the information during the learning process. Details are being looked at and every aspect is being taken apart to completely understand it. Researchers also call this process "elabortaing". This intensive and active learning process allows the learner to create sustainable knowledge that will be retrievable for years.

Additionally, the knowledge that is based on understanding allows the learner to use this knowledge and apply it to other situations, which might not be identical with the original situation the knowledge is based on. Applying and using your knowledge are the main factors for generating knowledge.