Flash Forward: Supercharge Learning with the Magic of Flashcards

• Engages multiple learning styles (visual, auditory, and kinesthetic)
• Effective for memorisation and recall
• Can be used in group activities, promoting teamwork and collaboration

1. The Science of Flashcards

A study by Kornell, Bjork, and Garcia (2011) found that the use of flashcards, combined with spaced repetition, was more effective in retaining information than studying the material repeatedly without the use of flashcards. Flashcards promote active recall by requiring learners to actively retrieve information from memory, which strengthens neural connections and makes it easier to remember the information in the future.

The key findings from the study are as follows:

a) Testing enhances long-term retention

Participants who were tested on the material exhibited better long-term retention compared to those who only studied the material without being tested. This finding supports the notion that testing improves memory consolidation and reduces forgetting.

b) Bifurcation in memory strength

The distribution-based bifurcation model suggests that testing creates a bifurcation in memory strength, where correctly recalled items become stronger in memory and incorrectly recalled items remain weak. Bifurcation in memory strength refers to a phenomenon where the 'memory traces' of tested items and untested items diverge or separate over time. This divergence occurs due to the differences in the way that tested and untested items are processed in the memory system. This bifurcation, in turn, leads to better long-term retention for the tested material.

c) Feedback is crucial 

The test-restudy group, which received feedback on their performance after testing, showed even better long-term retention compared to the study-test group, which did not receive feedback. This finding highlights the importance of feedback in enhancing memory consolidation and promoting learning.

The Research Results:

• Study-only group: Participants studied the word pairs four times each without being tested.
• Test-restudy group: Participants studied the word pairs, then took a test, and then restudied the word pairs based on their test performance.
• Study-test group: Participants studied the word pairs and then took a test, without any restudy based on their test performance.

The results of Experiment 1 showed the following:

• The study-only group recalled only 36% of the word pairs on the final test.
• The study-test group recalled 50% of the word pairs on the final test.
• The test-restudy group recalled 62% of the word pairs on the final test.

These results indicate that the groups that were tested during the initial learning phase (test-restudy and study-test groups) exhibited better long-term retention compared to the study-only group, supporting the notion that testing improves memory consolidation and reduces forgetting. Furthermore, the test-restudy group, which received feedback on their performance after testing, showed even better long-term retention compared to the study-test group, which did not receive feedback, highlighting the importance of feedback in enhancing memory consolidation and promoting learning.

When students use flashcards, they engage in active recall by attempting to remember the information on the other side of the card. This process of testing oneself is similar to the study-test and test-restudy conditions in the experiment, which showed better long-term retention compared to the study-only condition.

2. How to use Flashcards in School

Flashcards are a versatile and effective learning tool for primary school students. Here are some ideas for using flashcards in a primary school setting:

• Vocabulary development: Create flashcards with new vocabulary words on one side and their definitions or synonyms on the other. Students can practice independently or in pairs, quizzing each other to reinforce their understanding of the new words.
• Maths facts: Use flashcards to help students learn and practice basic maths operations, such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Each flashcard can have a maths problem on one side and the answer on the other.
• Phonics and letter recognition: Create flashcards with individual letters or letter combinations on one side, and a corresponding image or word on the other. This can help students develop their phonics and letter recognition skills.
• Sight words: For early readers, create flashcards with common sight words. Students can practice reading and recognising these words to improve their reading fluency.
• Science concepts: Use flashcards to teach students about various scientific concepts, such as the parts of a plant, animal classifications, or the solar system. Each card can feature an image or a term on one side and a description or explanation on the other.
• Historical events and figures: Create flashcards with images or names of important historical figures or events on one side and a brief description or significance on the other. This can help students learn and remember key historical facts.
• Group games and activities: Incorporate flashcards into group games or activities, such as memory games, charades, or Pictionary. This can encourage teamwork, collaboration, and active learning.

3. Where to find Flashcards?

• Quizlet: Quizlet is a popular flashcard website that allows users to create, share, and find flashcards on a wide range of subjects. Teachers can search for flashcard sets created by other users or create their own custom sets to share with students.
• Flashcard Machine: Flashcard Machine offers a searchable database of user-created flashcards on various subjects. Teachers can browse and print existing flashcards or create their own sets for specific topics.
• ESL Flashcards: ESL Flashcards is a website specifically designed for English language learners, offering a range of printable flashcards on topics such as vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation. The flashcards are available in various sizes and can be downloaded as PDF files.
• KitzKikz Flashcards: KitzKikz Flashcards allows users to create and print their own flashcards using a simple online interface. Teachers can input the questions and answers, customise the layout, and then download the flashcards as a PDF for printing.
• Education.com: Education.com offers a variety of printable flashcards covering subjects like maths, reading, and writing for students in pre-K to fifth grade. Teachers can browse the available flashcards, download them as PDF files, and print them for use in the classroom.

This isn't an exhaustive list and there are plenty of other website available where you can find flashcards so do search around if you can't find what you're looking for on the ones above.

To conclude, flashcards stand the test of time as a powerful and versatile learning tool for students of all ages. By incorporating the principles of active recall, spaced repetition, and feedback, flashcards effectively enhance memory consolidation and long-term retention. Teachers can easily create customised flashcards or access a wealth of pre-made resources online to address various subjects and learning needs. Embrace the magic of flashcards in your classroom and witness the transformative impact they can have on your students' learning experience, academic performance, and overall engagement. Flash forward to a brighter educational future with flashcards!

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• Kornell, N., Bjork, R. A., & Garcia, M. A. (2011). Why tests appear to prevent forgetting: A distribution-based bifurcation model. Journal of Memory and Language