brute force memorization is a notoriously bad long term teaching method too, it's only really great for building the base for which you then expand you knowledge through associative learning. "mitochondria are the powerhouse of the cell" doesn't actually teach you anything unless you can associate "powerhouse" aspect with "factories" producing ATP.
As a chemist, I don't remember the time when I needed periodic table on hand outside of school/university, memorising it is absolutely pointless outside couple of elements that are useful most of the time.
