Flashcards

There are a multitude of websites out there that can facilitate with learning vocabulary, both in the classroom and for the student at home studying. In a 1:1 laptop program, gone are the days of students using stacks of note cards to memorize vocabulary. In a world of laptops, ipods, and iphones, students can use less paper and be more organized by using web programs that create flashcards. Some flashcards sites allow students to network with other students to share their flashcards, and there are some that allow students to put their own audio to connect to each flashcard.


Many foreign language textbooks already have flashcards offered through their websites. My challenge is to find one flashcard program that will allow me to get students started (i.e. with terms or definitions) and have students finish the work and then use the flashcards to study.

The following are some of the websites that create flashcards:

http://www.quizlet.com/
http://www.flashcardexchange.com/
http://www.flashcardmachine.com/

I was playing around with Quizlet. Here are some positives and negatives of the site.
Positives (for me):
1. Can print flashcards
2. Can share flashcards
3. Can access others' flashcards
4. Symbols easily accessible
5. Import feature--do not necesarily have to type in all the terms and definition (TIME SAVER!) 6. There are 5 different learning modes--great for different learning styles and scaffolding

Familiarize Mode

Learn Mode

Test Mode

Scatter

Space Race

Negatives (for me):
1. Have to fill in a term and a definition (remember I would like to type in the terms and have students complete the definitions)
2. Positive is that there is sharing, but this could also be a negative. If it is an assignment could they just access someone else's cards and copy their work? I will have to investigate this.