Flashcards are one of the oldest and most popular means of revision. If you’re keen to understand the basics of flashcard study you’re in the right place!
Studying with flashcards
The flashcard study technique requires you to write down, type or draw important pieces of information across several cards. You then flick through the cards and try to remember the information on each one.
For instance, in the case of learning French, you could write the English word for ‘apple’ on one side and the French word for ‘apple’ on the other side. When you study using flashcards, you read the English word and have to guess the French word on the other side. This is particularly helpful for those studying languages or science, both of which require a lot of information to be retained.
Why flashcards work
Flashcards don’t just work by improving your memory; they also help identify weak points in your knowledge. So, if you’re studying biology and find a particular area difficult to recall on the flashcard, you know that you need to study that concept in more depth.
How to make flashcards
The traditional way to make flashcards is to buy a pack of blank cards and write the necessary terms and concepts on each one. However, you can also download an app and type out your flashcards. This doesn’t only require far less effort, but it also makes it much easier to study, allowing you to do so while sitting on the bus or waiting for your morning coffee.
The best flashcard apps and websites
Tinycards: Created by Duolingo and available on iOS and Android, Tinycards lets you create, store and share flashcards. This app takes Duolingo’s successful, memory-based language learning experience and allows you to apply it to your own study.
Quizlet: Quizlet is a free app that allows you to find and create your own flashcards online. While this app is mainly used for learning languages, it can be used across other disciplines as well.
StudyBlue: Available on iOS and Android, StudyBlue allows you to include images and sounds on your flashcards. There is also a database of flashcards made by other students and teachers around the globe.
Anki: Anki is available on the web, Android and iOS. With Anki, you can store your flashcards in the cloud, meaning you can create cards on one device and use them on another device.
Brainscape: Brainscape is a well-designed app that allows you to use flashcards created by Brainscape’s user base or make your own. While the app is free, there is a membership option that lets you add sounds and images to your cards and access a wider variety of flashcards from the Brainscape database.
