Use of Flashcards in School
Flashcards have long been recognized as an effective method for helping most kids with rote memorization tasks such as learning multiplication tables and matching historical events with the date on which they occurred. In addition, flashcards can be used in art classes and for special needs students. With the advent of the computer, teachers have many options when it comes to flashcards.
Other People Are Reading
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Academic Flashcards
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Beginning readers enjoy using flashcards with simple words printed on the front and pictures on the back, providing them with instant feedback on whether or not they read the word correctly; later, these same cards can be used in the opposite way. For example, a student sees a picture of a lion, writes the word and turns the card over to see if the word is spelled correctly. Older students might use flashcards for test review in a variety of subjects, from literary terminology to the abbreviations for elements. Kids may enjoy being paired or put into small groups to use flashcards.
Flashcards for the Arts
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Students studying subjects such as art appreciation can use flashcards for identifying both the artist and the name of a specific work; this activity can even become a challenging game for teams of students. In music, students can use flashcards on the elementary level to learn the names of the instruments of the orchestra; in later years, flashcards can be used to identify chords or learn music terminology.
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Flashcards for Special Needs Students
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A variety of flashcards are available for kids with special needs. For example, Braille flashcards are available for both visually impaired as well as sighted students who wish to learn how to read Braille. Some cards have embossed pictures and raised line drawings. Facial expression flashcards may be used to help students who have difficulty recognizing visual cues in social situations.
The Internet and Flashcards
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A number of Internet sites offer parents and teachers the opportunity to download flashcards of various kinds, particularly ones used for building academic skills. These are available for a variety of levels and age groups (see Resources). The basic idea of flashcards also lends itself to online games that allow players to go through what are essentially sets of flashcards but with graphics, musical accompaniment, timers and other add-ons, making the work seem like play (see Resources).
Drawbacks of Using Flashcards
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The biggest problem with using flashcards is that the activity quickly becomes boring when used over and over without varying the way in which the flashcards are used. Some teachers find ways to avoid the tedium of flashcard use by writing little jokes on some of the flashcards or writing messages such as "you just won a lollipop" or "three free points." Keep in mind that some kids are not visual learners. Knowing a child's learning style helps teachers know what kids will benefit more from an auditory drill rather than a pack of flashcards, no matter how appealing the graphics may be.
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