While the broad critique of "why learn it when I can google it?" is valid there is an unfortunate conflation of memorizing and learning that runs through the post. There are far easier and more enduring ways of learning than memorizing -- e.g. repeatedly practicing (now done well through gamification) or through connecting with relevant concepts to create a web of meaning. Hence "googling" vs "memorizing" is a false dichotomy.
And no, I don't think anyone living became a good reader by memorizing 45 phonemes and 175 graphemes. They became good readers through a virtuous cycle of practice: reading, noticing patterns, getting faster, enjoying it more, reading more...
While the broad critique of "why learn it when I can google it?" is valid there is an unfortunate conflation of memorizing and learning that runs through the post. There are far easier and more enduring ways of learning than memorizing -- e.g. repeatedly practicing (now done well through gamification) or through connecting with relevant concepts to create a web of meaning. Hence "googling" vs "memorizing" is a false dichotomy.
And no, I don't think anyone living became a good reader by memorizing 45 phonemes and 175 graphemes. They became good readers through a virtuous cycle of practice: reading, noticing patterns, getting faster, enjoying it more, reading more...