Flashcards vs Traditional Study Methods // A deep dive
Here, we compare the effectiveness of flashcards with other study techniques and see which one shines!
When it comes to studying for exams, there are many methods that you can select. Ranging from making mindmaps to flashcards to watching videos, there is a study method/hack for everyone! Among all study methods, flashcards have gained significant popularity in the past years... and this is for a good reason 🤓 .
In this substack, we will explore how flashcards compare to traditional study methods… exploring both their pros and cons. 🚀
Important question: What is the scientific basis of flashcards?
The magic that makes flashcards an extremely effective and versatile study method is active recall and spaced repetition. 👏
1. Active Recall: This involves actively retrieving information from your memory during the learning process. Instead of passively reading notes, flashcards force you to retrieve answers from memory, which strengthens neural connections. 🧠
2. Spaced Repetition: This is a study technique that finds its origins in 1885, when Ebbinghaus (a psychologist) discovered the “forgetting curve” ( the retention of information decreases exponentially over time, unless you review it periodically — via spaced repetition ) 📚 This technique involves reviewing information at strategically increasing time intervals to reinforce memory. The best tool for spaced repetition? Flashcards.
Traditional Study Methods
Flashcards and studying with flashcard apps like Voovo are is the newest method of studying… but there will always be students who benefit more from traditional study methods, and that is completely normal!
In fact, we at Voovo recommend you to study with a good balance of traditional study methods AND flashcards.
Reading and Note-Taking: this is the MOST traditional form of studying, and it can be quite efficient if done right! Why? Because the act of writing down things is a tactile stimulation that can trigger parts of your brain that typing cannot. This helps strengthen neural connections 🤓
Summarization: Creating summaries of study material to condense information and highlight main ideas. Active studying can be incorporated if you make yourself summarize texts from memory! In addition, you can also add color and drawings to further stimulate memory formation 🚀
Mind Mapping: this is great for visual learners! Mind mapping helps you organize information in a clear and concise way.
Practice Tests: this allows you to “simulate” exam conditions so that you can be better prepared for when the time comes. You will have a better idea of areas you should improve on, and what you need to focus on! 👏
A Comparison
In terms of long term memory retention
Flashcards: Studies have shown that flashcards, through active recall and spaced repetition, significantly improve long-term retention and comprehension. The act of repeatedly retrieving information from your brain helps solidify it into your long-term memory, so that every time… it becomes easier to recall the answer/information! 👏
Traditional Methods: While reading and note-taking can be effective for initial learning, they often fall short in promoting long-term retention. Passive reading does not engage memory processes as actively as flashcards do, so it is harder to form long lasting neural connections this way. 🥹
Engagement and Motivation
Flashcards: Flashcards can make studying more engaging and interactive. The quick review sessions and the challenge of recalling information can be motivating. Digital flashcard apps, like Voovo, further enhance this experience with interactive features and progress tracking.
Traditional Methods: Methods like reading and summarization can sometimes become monotonous, leading to decreased motivation. However, techniques like mind mapping can be quite fun if you make it! You can do doodles, add color. and play around with your handwriting.
Flexibility and Convenience
Flashcards: Flashcards are highly portable and can be used anywhere, anytime. Digital flashcards, in particular, offer the convenience of studying on-the-go… even while you are on your phone in the bus!
Traditional Methods: Traditional methods often require more time and resources. For example, note-taking requires access to textbooks and materials, which may not always be convenient. You also often need a desk to work on, which means that there are certain places where you have to be to be able to study!
Customization and Adaptability
Flashcards: Spaced repetition flashcard apps like Voovo are very much tailored to a student’s study process. When you are reviewing flashcards, the ones that you know perfectly will be shuffled so that it appears at a much later time than the ones that you don’t know as well. This way, when you are studying, you are spending more time on things that you NEED to memorize and less time is wasted on information that you know already 🚀.
Traditional Methods: While summarization and note-taking can be personalized, they often lack the adaptability of flashcards. Mind maps and practice tests provide some customization but may not be as flexible in targeting specific areas for improvement.
Time Consumption
Flashcards: Creating flashcards can be time-consuming, since you have to make individual question - answer sets for each question and even hide labels on diagrams… However, digital flashcards and pre-made sets can solve this issue very easily! Voovo for example has automatic AI flashcards, instant diagram flashcards, and much more. Once the flashcards are created, studying them is easy and the best way to cover big amounts of information in short time periods.
Each time you successfully recall a piece of information on a flashcard, the synaptic connections become stronger and more efficient, making it a lot easier to recall the said information in the future! This process saves you from spending excessive time on reviewing old information. 👏
Traditional Methods: Research has consistently shown that our brains retain information better when we actively retrieve it rather than passively review it (Reading over notes, watching videos, listening to lectures). Passively reviewing via traditional methods is time consuming, because it takes a longer time for us to fully memorize every single term and definition. This is where flashcards shine — each time we successfully recall an answer, our neural pathways are strengthened, leading to better long-term retention and therefore less time spent on reviewing!
Depth of Learning
Flashcards: Surface Learning — can sometimes promote surface learning if not used correctly. It’s important to ensure that flashcards cover a depth of understanding, not just memorization of isolated facts.
Traditional Methods: Can be as detailed or basic as you want, depending on how much time you spend on it!
Conclusion
When we compare flashcards with traditional study methods, flashcards have an advantage in terms of long term memory retention, engagement of students, customization, and overall less time spent on studying. However, traditional study methods are traditional for a reason… they are not to be ignored! The best way to study is to combine flashcards WITH textbooks and videos. This is why you can use Voovo app in split screen with all your other study apps 🚀.
Happy studying!