Online flashcards are a great way to review vocabulary, grammar and other language content while you are on the go. The good ol' days of 3x5" index cards have been replaced by smart phones and computers that let you create and flip/click through a lot of content in a minimal amount of time. Here are a couple of cool options you may want to try out with your students.
ExamTime is a free, web-based app featuring flash cards, mind maps, quizzes and notes. It is designed for teachers, students and general users who like productivity and study tools. Any of the tools can be made into a presentation using the “play” button. You can also share the resources you make with others, students and/or teacher colleagues. ExamTime could be used for classroom instruction and extended study outside of the classroom. If students have their mobile devices in class, the flashcards could be a good “filler” practice activity for students who finish early. I particularly like the app for creating vocabulary flashcards, practice quizzes, and mind maps for overview presentations for grammar or even discussion questions in a speaking class.
Quizlet is a free app available on your phone or browser. Frankly, this is the Cadillac of online flashcards. There are thousands of study decks on every topic already available to study, or you can make your own to study for an upcoming test. Flashcards can contain images, multiple languages, and audio. For the ESL class, this means you or your students can create a vocabulary file with tons of information for each word, including L1 translation. You can even record and listen to pronunciation of the words or phrases. For teachers, there is a special log-in that allows you to create tests and worksheets, use six different study modes, generate competition with study games, and collaborate with other teachers.
Teaching Idea
My colleague Tracey suggested a great collaborative student project using online flashcards. Since you can create content and share it with others, assign individual students or groups one unit from the textbook to create study content on flashcards. Give a deadline for the complete study cards so everyone can use them in preparation for a test. Make it a graded project to encourage good content as they create the study cards for everyone to share.
How else do you use flashcards to encourage review and language study?
ExamTime is a free, web-based app featuring flash cards, mind maps, quizzes and notes. It is designed for teachers, students and general users who like productivity and study tools. Any of the tools can be made into a presentation using the “play” button. You can also share the resources you make with others, students and/or teacher colleagues. ExamTime could be used for classroom instruction and extended study outside of the classroom. If students have their mobile devices in class, the flashcards could be a good “filler” practice activity for students who finish early. I particularly like the app for creating vocabulary flashcards, practice quizzes, and mind maps for overview presentations for grammar or even discussion questions in a speaking class.
Quizlet is a free app available on your phone or browser. Frankly, this is the Cadillac of online flashcards. There are thousands of study decks on every topic already available to study, or you can make your own to study for an upcoming test. Flashcards can contain images, multiple languages, and audio. For the ESL class, this means you or your students can create a vocabulary file with tons of information for each word, including L1 translation. You can even record and listen to pronunciation of the words or phrases. For teachers, there is a special log-in that allows you to create tests and worksheets, use six different study modes, generate competition with study games, and collaborate with other teachers.
Teaching Idea
My colleague Tracey suggested a great collaborative student project using online flashcards. Since you can create content and share it with others, assign individual students or groups one unit from the textbook to create study content on flashcards. Give a deadline for the complete study cards so everyone can use them in preparation for a test. Make it a graded project to encourage good content as they create the study cards for everyone to share.
How else do you use flashcards to encourage review and language study?