“No way, Mom.” How many times have you heard this phrase when suggesting study techniques to your high schooler? Well, good news. Studies show you should fight the fight because it turns out flashcards are a highly effective way of committing facts, stats and vocabulary words to memory.
By simply writing something down, be it a formula, definition, etc., motived learners encourage the brain to focus on the topic at hand and have better odds at retaining the information than simply reading the content from a textbook or lecture notes. An added bonus – your student is kept away from technology (hallelujah!) while creating those flashcards.
When you look at a flashcard and think of the answer, you’re engaging in active recall, i.e. the brain’s ability to remember. And the ability to remember speaks to your level of confidence and familiarity with the topic. (You remember those feelings of self-pride when long ago you turned that biology flashcard over and saw you nailed it?!) Another added bonus, flashcards can be separated into groups – the content you know and the content you don’t, which you can study separately again and again.
So, the next time you suggest creating and using flashcards as a study tool, confidently recall these facts, and then watch as your student’s grades improve. For added support or additional tried and true study techniques, contact our qualified tutors. Call us at 720-216-2222 to make an appointment.