Do Flashcards Work for College Students?
When a student needs to learn new words or prepare for a presentation, Anki PRO flashcards come in handy. You can post terms and their definitions, translations of foreign words, and abstracts for your speech on them. Electronic anki decks are much more convenient and efficient than paper ones, because you can add images, audio and video to them. And they don’t need separate storage space. To repeat the information contained in the cards anywhere and at any time, you just need to take your smartphone with you.
Flashcards. What is this?
Electronic flashcards are a modern and effective method of memorizing any information. Many people used a similar system in school to study foreign languages or historical events. Only earlier these cards were paper and made by hand.
Anki PRO flashcards have two working sides. A word, definition or some phenomenon is placed on one side. The other side contains an explanation of their explanation. If you use the flashcard method on an ongoing basis, the information you learn will go directly into long-term memory.
Why is this effective?
In the process of reading notes or listening to lectures, information is consumed passively. Some things will remain in our heads, and some will not stay for long. In order for all important information to be reliably stored in our memory, it is necessary to use active memorization. It is activated when we answer questions.
If we look for answers ourselves and generate them, our brain will begin to work much more actively. Having spoken and imagined something, we remember better. This feature is the basis of the flash card method. On one side there is a question, and on the other the answer. Before turning over the card, you need to try to answer yourself. By looking through a deck of cards every time, you give yourself a little exam. Thus, information is remembered better than through passive reading or listening.
Another advantage of flashcards is quick and accessible repetition of material. You will not need to take bulky notebooks and textbooks with you. Just launch the Anki PRO application on your smartphone and start practicing.
The process of generating flashcards itself is also useful, since part of the knowledge is acquired already at this stage.
How to make a good card
In the Anki PRO application, you can create as many flashcards as you like, supplementing them with all sorts of components, such as pictures and videos. However, not all of them will be truly effective. Here are a few rules to help you make a good card.
Brevity is paramount
There should be only one word, definition or phenomenon per card. You shouldn’t add a whole list of exception words or a whole chapter from a textbook. It’s better to create a separate deck in which each word from the list will be on its own card.
Write in simple language
If information is presented in abstruse words, rare terms and expressions, it is extremely difficult for the brain to remember it. Don’t add this to your cards. Take only the most important things and put them in simple words. If you can’t do without terms, put them on separate cards.
Highlight what’s important
You can highlight keywords in definitions with a contrasting color. Also, it will be useful to indicate parts of speech in words if the subject being studied requires it. Make your cards bright, visual and interesting.
Don’t forget the context
Mindlessly memorizing material will not bring good results. It is important to be able to apply it correctly in practice. Be sure to include context on the identifying sides of the cards. For example, if you are learning foreign words, add sentences in which they appear.
Better with pictures
It’s just harder to remember the words. But if you add pictures, audio, and video to them, the process will go much easier and faster. Use the association method. With Anki PRO you can add an image, audio or video in just a few seconds.
Working with cards
So, you’ve made your first deck of cards. Now it’s time to start working with them. Here are some tips to help make this process more efficient.
Repeat before bed
Sleep plays an important role in learning new knowledge. When the slow-wave sleep phase begins, our brain integrates the information received during the day into long-term memory. If you devote half an hour to the cards before going to bed, the results will not be long in coming.
Read aloud
By saying definitions out loud, we use auditory memory. It helps us remember all the most important things for a long time. And when learning foreign languages, auditory memory is absolutely necessary. If you simply read unfamiliar words, you will not be able to master speaking skills.
The more often you open your cards, the faster the information will be deposited in your brain.
And with the help of Anki PRO you can also help plan classes and track progress. In addition, the application will send you notifications so that you do not forget to repeat the information you are learning.
