60. FOCUSED FLASHCARDS (Feedback, Discussion)
Description: Based on Sebastian Leitner’s method, Focused Flashcards offer students a tried-and-true system that provide immediate feedback and an opportunity to remedy incorrect answers in an efficient and effective way by prioritizing those things that are hard to understand in spaced repetition.
Application: Teaching students how to effectively use flashcards as a study tool is the overall goal of this strategy. Flashcards can be created by hand or online through knowledge management system like Anki (https://apps.ankiweb.net/) or in a Chrome Extension labeled “Leitner Box.”
Process: Early in the school year, take time to show students how to use the Leitner system. Instruct students to bring blank flashcards and create a set of flashcards based on possible testable items within a chapter, unit, or section, for example. Explain the method:
1. There will be three stacks and all cards start in stack one.
2. Read clue on card, silently answer to self, and then flip over to confirm answer.
3. If correct, flashcard goes into stack two. If incorrect, flashcard remains in stack one.
4. Repeat procedure until all of the unanswered stack one cards have been attempted.
5. Review all cards in stack two. If correct (again) advance flashcard to stack three. If
incorrect, flashcard goes back to stack one.
6. Review until all cards are in the highest stack (three).
Remind students that spaced repetition is important. Set-up an example review time as follows:
Stack one review three times a day
Stack two review two times a day
Stack three review one time a day
Students will begin to see the strength of study because they are focused on what they are answering incorrectly, yet still keeping the other answers fresh. Optional: When students have all items in the highest stack, tell them to learn the cards back-to-front using the method. Also, once all items are in stack 3, switch focus to fluency (or the rate of arriving at correct answers).
Reference and/or for more information:
60. Focused Flashcards
http:// www.virtualsalt.com/learn10.html.
Description: Based on Sebastian Leitner’s method, Focused Flashcards offer students a tried-and-true system that provide immediate feedback and an opportunity to remedy incorrect answers in an efficient and effective way by prioritizing those things that are hard to understand in spaced repetition.
Application: Teaching students how to effectively use flashcards as a study tool is the overall goal of this strategy. Flashcards can be created by hand or online through knowledge management system like Anki (https://apps.ankiweb.net/) or in a Chrome Extension labeled “Leitner Box.”
Process: Early in the school year, take time to show students how to use the Leitner system. Instruct students to bring blank flashcards and create a set of flashcards based on possible testable items within a chapter, unit, or section, for example. Explain the method:
1. There will be three stacks and all cards start in stack one.
2. Read clue on card, silently answer to self, and then flip over to confirm answer.
3. If correct, flashcard goes into stack two. If incorrect, flashcard remains in stack one.
4. Repeat procedure until all of the unanswered stack one cards have been attempted.
5. Review all cards in stack two. If correct (again) advance flashcard to stack three. If
incorrect, flashcard goes back to stack one.
6. Review until all cards are in the highest stack (three).
Remind students that spaced repetition is important. Set-up an example review time as follows:
Stack one review three times a day
Stack two review two times a day
Stack three review one time a day
Students will begin to see the strength of study because they are focused on what they are answering incorrectly, yet still keeping the other answers fresh. Optional: When students have all items in the highest stack, tell them to learn the cards back-to-front using the method. Also, once all items are in stack 3, switch focus to fluency (or the rate of arriving at correct answers).
Reference and/or for more information:
60. Focused Flashcards
http:// www.virtualsalt.com/learn10.html.