Digitally assisted learning

What’s behind it?

While learning can be a diverse process which many strategies and techniques can enhance, it often comes down to the basics: binary learning using flashcards. You just can’t make it any easier to learn specific information. Each card has two sides that explain each other.

So what can I do with it?

You learn by reading one side and then saying (out loud or quietly) what’s on the other side of the card. Then, you check whether you were right or wrong, giving yourself instant feedback.

There are many applications for flashcards in a traditional sense:

• A term that is defined or explained on the back.
  • E.g., democracy – a system of government by the whole population or all the eligible members of a state, typically through elected representatives (Source: wikipedia.com)
• A question that is explained on the back.
  • E.g., Why is the English “I” always capitalized? – The “I” used to be written as a long stroke ;also, the lower case “i” came later. The pronoun “I” just didn’t change into “i”.

What about languages?

When it comes to language learning, flashcards start to shine. Of course, you can use the above method to learn grammar rules, e.g., you can ask How do I form the present perfect? – subject + have / has + past participle – this is actually pretty good. But lets have a look at vocabulary learning.

• Basic vocabulary learning, i.e., one language (e.g., German) on the front and the translation (e.g., English) on the back.
  • E.g., kaufen – (to) buy 
• Advanced vocabulary learning I, i.e., one word on the front and a phrase or sentence on the back. This way, you learn words in context which makes it easier to remember them.
  • E.g., kaufen – (to) buy an apple / Susan buys a pink phone.
• Advanced vocabulary learning II, i.e., one word on the front that is defined or where you use synonyms or antonyms on the back. This way, you learn to actually use the language instead of simply translating it.
  • E.g., definition: (to) buy – (to) get something by paying money for it.
    • Try to define words yourself. You can also get help by using dictionaries, e.g. the learner’s dictionary.
  • E.g., synonyms: (to) buy – (to) acquire / (to) purchase / (to) obtain
    • Try to find synonyms yourself, but you can also use a thesaurus.
  • E.g., antonym /opposite: (to) buy – (to) lose / (to) buy – (to) sell
• Advanced vocabulary learning III, i.e., using visual help to learn words.
  • E.g., apple (n) – 

How do digital flashcards change this? Flashcards 2.0

Ease of use changes a lot! Lets review one (free) option, namely Quizlet:

• Once you have an account, it’s much easier to create flashcards.
• You can change them hassle free.
• You don’t have to buy flashcards.
• You can always have them with you (if you have a phone).
• You have the option to hear the words spoken out loud (great advantage for languages).
• There are more options to learn them: You can write them as well as play games (e.g., matching both sides).
• You can track your progress, i.e., the software tells you which words you haven’t learned properly.

Of course there are disadvantages, but they are few and not to be focused on here (e.g., you only learn what is on the cards).