I think that learning happens in many ways, through repetition, through insight, through reflection, and so on. Even if one objects to the contrived environment of a timed multiplication test, the act of preparing for that test forces a student to be in a position to learn. In my opinion, there is intrinsic value in the timed test of cumulative knowledge, and the preparations provide a secondary motivation for these.
I think that learning happens in many ways, through repetition, through insight, through reflection, and so on. Even if one objects to the contrived environment of a timed multiplication test, the act of preparing for that test forces a student to be in a position to learn. In my opinion, there is intrinsic value in the timed test of cumulative knowledge, and the preparations provide a secondary motivation for these.
Good point. Both the timed test and the preparation for it have value, just like preparing for a race, and the race improves performance.