flashkort

Flashkort, commonly known as flashcards, are study aids consisting of two sides: a prompt on one side and the answer on the other. They are used to promote active recall, practice retrieval, and aid memorization of facts, vocabulary, formulas, and concepts. Flashkort can be physical cards made from paper or index cards, or digital cards in apps and websites. In classroom settings they support self-study and spaced repetition, often integrated with routines such as daily practice or pre-quiz reviews.

History: The concept has roots in 19th-century pedagogy, and practice with flashcards has been widely used for decades. The Leitner system, a widely cited method of spaced repetition, assigns cards to boxes that determine review frequency; more difficult cards are reviewed more often, easier less often.

Usage: In practice, a user looks at the prompt, attempts to recall the answer, then flips the card to check accuracy. This cycle strengthens memory via retrieval practice. Digital platforms enable features like tagging, progress tracking, and adaptive repetition schedules.

Benefits: Efficient for rote memorization, vocabulary learning, and exam preparation. They require minimal setup and can be used anywhere. Limitations: May not promote deep understanding without context, and effectiveness depends on consistent use and well-formed prompts. Best used as a part of a broader study strategy.

Variants: Cloze flashcards present fill-in-the-blank prompts; reverse cards test recall in both directions. Some cards include mnemonics or images to improve encoding.

Examples: Anki, Quizlet, Brainscape.