Revision Techniques
Flashcards
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.
How do I make a flashcard?
All you need is paper or card cut to the
size of a playing card and a pen.
Think of a topic within one of your
subjects. For example; photosynthesis.
You would then create a ‘deck’ of cards
called ‘Photosynthesis’.
In your ‘Photosynthesis’ deck you would
write a series of questions with the answer
on the other side. For example ‘Where
does the energy come from that causes
photosynthesis?’ and on the reverse of the
card you would write ‘the sun’.
Writing out flashcard is a form of study too.
As when you are thinking about what to
write, you are revising. Don’t think it will be
enough simply to read through the
flashcards. It won’t. Very few of us have a
photographic memory. You will need to
repeat and repeat the process.
Someone in your family (or a friend) could
test you by going through your decks with
you.
There are lots of other ways to use the
flashcard technique.
Check out flashcards.com
If you have a smartphone there are lots of
free flashcard apps. You could have all
your decks in your pocket at once and
study whenever and wherever you want!
Check out
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WY9z6QT
twsc
or
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6u9udw_d
1FA&feature=related
There are lots of flashcard apps available.
Bearsden Academy does not recommend
any one over any other!
Flashcards do not offer the complete answer
to studying.
You should give them a go to see if they
work for you.
They work well for subjects where you have
to remember facts, theories and vocabulary
or in subjects that use question and answer
formats.
You’ll find they work for some subjects
better than others.
Flashcards
Give them a go!