Revision TechniquesRevision Techniques

FlashcardsFlashcards

What is a Flashcard?What is a Flashcard?

A flashcard one in a set of cards (a set is called a ‘deck’) bearing information, as words or numbers, on both sides, used in the classroom or in private study. One writes a question on a card and the answer overleaf. Flashcards can be used for vocabulary, historical dates, formulas or any subject matter that can be learned via a question and answer format. Flashcards are widely used as a learning tool to aid memorization by way of reading and repeating.

All you need is paper or card cut to the All you need is paper or card cut to the size of a playing card and a pen.size of a playing card and a pen.

Think of a topic within one of your Think of a topic within one of your subjects. For example; photosynthesis. subjects. For example; photosynthesis. You would then create a ‘deck’ of cards You would then create a ‘deck’ of cards called ‘Photosynthesis’.called ‘Photosynthesis’.

How do I make a flashcard?

In your ‘Photosynthesis’ deck you would In your ‘Photosynthesis’ deck you would write a series of questions with the answer write a series of questions with the answer on the other side. For example ‘Where on the other side. For example ‘Where does the energy come from that causes does the energy come from that causes photosynthesis?’ and on the reverse of the photosynthesis?’ and on the reverse of the card you would write ‘the sun’.card you would write ‘the sun’.

Writing out flashcard is a form of study too. Writing out flashcard is a form of study too. As when you are thinking about what to As when you are thinking about what to write, you are revising. Don’t think it will be write, you are revising. Don’t think it will be enough simply to read through the enough simply to read through the flashcards. It won’t. Very few of us have a flashcards. It won’t. Very few of us have a photographic memory. You will need to photographic memory. You will need to repeat and repeat the process.repeat and repeat the process.

Someone in your family (or a friend) could Someone in your family (or a friend) could test you by going through your decks with test you by going through your decks with you.you.

There are lots of other ways to use the There are lots of other ways to use the flashcard technique.flashcard technique.

Check out flashcards.comCheck out flashcards.com

IIf you have a smartphone there are lots of f you have a smartphone there are lots of free flashcard apps. You could have all free flashcard apps. You could have all your decks in your pocket at once and your decks in your pocket at once and study whenever and wherever you want!study whenever and wherever you want!

Check outCheck out

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WY9z6QTtwsc

oror

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6u9udw_d1FA&feature=related

There are lots of flashcard apps available. There are lots of flashcard apps available. Bearsden Academy does not recommend Bearsden Academy does not recommend any one over any other!any one over any other!

Flashcards do not offer the complete answer Flashcards do not offer the complete answer to studying.to studying.

You should give them a go to see if they You should give them a go to see if they work for you.work for you.

They work well for subjects where you have They work well for subjects where you have to remember facts, theories and vocabulary to remember facts, theories and vocabulary or in subjects that use question and answer or in subjects that use question and answer formats.formats.

You’ll find they work for some subjects You’ll find they work for some subjects better than others.better than others.

FlashcardsFlashcards

Give them a go!Give them a go!