Mechanical learning (4)
I believe the answer is:
<span class="explanation-format__ClueExplanation">'<span class="explanation-format__original">mechanical learning</span>' is the definition.<br/ ><span class="explanation-format__explanation">(I've seen this in another clue)</span><br/ ><br/ >This is all the clue.<br/ ></span>
(Other definitions for rote that I've seen before include "mindless activity?" , "Unthinking repetition" , "Memorisation by repetition" , "By . . . . - from memory without thought" , "Repetition for learners" .)