Why do we use Flashcards?

To understand what we could use to replace a flashcard we first have to understand what is a flashcard so we know what features we are trying to replace

• The first great thing about flashcards is that they are quick to do and easy to pick up. Lots of revision methods require you to sit at a desk for hours. Whereas flashcards, you can pick them up for 10 minutes in the car or in between tasks
• Secondly, flashcards aren’t time-sensitive, you can pick them up for 5 minutes or an hour and they are equally as effective. Most other revision methods require you to sink some time into them for them to be effective
• Thirdly and Finally they are used for fact recall, flashcards don’t exercise maths skills or exam techniques. They purely help you remember facts
  So we are looking for revision methods that have these qualities

Technique One: Above Bed Poster

This technique is a bit like notes—actually, they’re probably just notes. However, it’s the way we consume them that makes them a useful alternative to flashcards. If you pin them above your bed, they’ll be the last thing you see before going to bed and the first thing you see when you wake up. Since you’ll come across them at least twice a day without question, you’re bound to gradually remember the details on the notes. Another option is to place notes behind your desk or set them as your screensaver on your phone or laptop. Since you encounter all of these frequently throughout your day, filling them with useful information can be really helpful for you to slowly absorb the information on them.

Technique Two: Audio Messages

You could think of this like flashcards but in audio form. This works great for audible learners. The advantages this has over flashcards are

• They are even more portable, you can do these whilst walking or doing housework
• It is all digital so there is no build-up of stacks and stacks of flashcards

You need to simply record yourself asking the questions, leave a few seconds for future you to get an answer and then state the answer in the recording. Apps you could use for this vary, voice memos on iPhone / the Android equivalent both work well and is what I would personally use. I am sure there are loads of other apps out there. Just make sure that you are able to file them well otherwise it will quickly become a mess.

Technique Three: Summary Foldables

Imagine these like a notes flashcard hybrid. You make fancy notes, but then cover them in loads of paper flaps forcing you to do active recall when you read over them.
Advantages over flashcard

• They are more information-dense, often for a given piece of paper you can get lots of active recall questions on them rather than just one. This also means there is less paper waste
• You are able to be a bit more creative with how your look making it more personal to your learning style

You can make them both on paper or digitally. On paper, you just need to make the notes and then cut and stick aloe of paper over key information so you can cover it up. Alternatively, you can find your paper in half to begin with, have one half filled with questions and the other half filled with answers, you are able to get super creative so try loads of things out.
If you are a digital note-taker you can also do these except you do get a little less free rein but it is still possible. Many note-taking apps have a tape feature, this is going to be the equivalent of your paper.

Hopefully, some of this will come in handy when you are looking for that extra variety in your revision methods.

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