2. Overview
There are many different strategies to help your child to learn new
concepts. Teaching children something new should be fun and
entertaining for the child so that it keeps their attention. For my children, I
used songs, giant puzzle ABC’s, and flashcards get them to learn things.
The songs and the giant puzzle was great until they got older; then I
discover that for the way they learned flashcards were my best approach.
Flashcards can be a fun way to help children to learn concepts such as
sight words, simple words, and sentences. They can be most effective
when they are homemade.
3. Credible Source 1
One of the most commonly used techniques when working with flashcards
is the Constant Time Delay (CTD). CTD is a control procedure used
extensively in behavior change and learning interventions. It’s the
constant interval of time between a natural stimulus and the prompt
stimulus. Using flashcards, takes time and patience. Most young children
attention span is about 3-5 minutes, so it is best to always keep the
flashcards entertaining for the child. Take breaks when needed, motivate
the child when they have remembered something on the flashcards.
Teaching at home is another way to insure that a child is engaged in
learning.
4. Credible Source 2
One of the best ways to make it easier for the child to remember what
they are being taught is to break the cards down; teach only a few at a
time so that it does not get to overpowering for them. Arranging the cards
in the order that is easiest to learn also helps. In using the flashcards,
repetitive study is a technique that can be used. Having the child repeat
the content of the card after you, then having them repeat it on their own,
and reviewing the same cards multiple times in different ways to keep it
interesting. Praising your child is a good motivator to keep the child eager
to want to learn more. Practicing the flashcards is the best way to get
them to grasp the concept you are trying to teach.
5. Credible Source 3
The teacher Vikki in the video I used gave many different examples of
what helps her children learn when using flashcards. Using colorful
flashcards, fun shaped flashcards, allowing the children to create their
own cards, and using cards with pictures, etc. to keep their attention and
make it fun for them. Make the activity hands-on so that it will appeal to
different learners that you may have in your classroom. Working with
small groups of children, assisting in independent learning, practicing with
partner, and matching cards are strategies that she uses in her classroom
to help her children learn with flashcards..
7. Credible Source 4
Although flashcards can be a great strategy to help children learn; there
are some ways that can make them not positively effective. According to
an article I read on tomisimo.org flashcards promote rote learning. Rote
learning is any type of learning where you focus on learning the material
at hand while purposely ignoring the inner workings of it. So, this means if
you want a child to know something you teach them solely what you want
them to know (2+2=4). Instead of teaching why 2+2=4 or that there are
other ways to get 2+2=4. Flashcards disadvantage is that it will teach the
child to memorize the content taught but not why the content is being
taught.
8. Analysis
Flashcards can be a great strategy to use when educating people. They
can be used in many different ways and for a variety of subjects. In my
research, I was able to understand more about how flashcards are used in
the education field; not only for young children but for all who are in school
for continuing education. Flashcards can be an effective way to teach
concepts and material that needs to be taught. What I found most
interesting is that they can also be an disadvantage to learning; there are
many different learning styles like there are different learners. Because of
this there are disadvantages the best ways to promote effective learning
with flashcards
9. Analysis con.’t
is to use meaningful, associative, and active learning. Using these
learning styles while using the flashcard technique will ensure that people
are learning the concepts of what is being taught. People have to
understand the reasons why they are learning what is being taught,
instead of just remembering what the flashcards say they should know.
When using the flashcard technique, people are taught to only memorize
what they need to know but not the underline reasons for why they need
to know the information trying to be taught. Critical thinking is an important
part of learning with flashcards.
10. Connections
The connections that I made from the flashcards technique was like
Howard Gardner's Multiple Intelligence Theory. Gardner believes that
intelligence has a biological base. An intelligence is a “biopsychological
potential process into certain ways in order to solve or create products
that are valued in at least one culture or community” (Gardner, 2009, p.5).
Gardner's research indicates that educators should appeal to all the
different learner types and the use of flashcards are really helpful for
learners who are visual, spatial, naturalist, and kinaesthetic learners.
11. Conclusion
In conclusion, flashcards can be an effective strategy to promote
achievement in learning if used in an effective way. When using the
technique do not solely teach memorization of the context on the cards
but also teach why they need to know what the cards entails. Flashcards
are a multisensory approach for learning because it appeals to all learners
and allows children to engage in the learning process. For older learners,
flashcards are useful to study and memorize concepts quickly. “Anything
that is worth teaching can be presented in many different ways. These
multiple ways can make use of our multiple intelligences.” -Howard
Gardner.
12. Communication with Families
As a parent, you are your child's best teacher. Only you can understand
your child’s strengths and needs, what motivates your child, and what
keeps your child’s interests. You're the expert in knowing exactly what will
capture your child’s interest and keep them excited about learning. As an
educator, it is your job to keep good communication with parents so that
both parties are promoting academic achievement for the child.
13. References
● Ling, J., Robbins, L., Wen, F., and N. Zhang. Lifestyle Interventions in
Preschool Children: A Meta-Analysis of Effectiveness. American
Journal of Preventive Medicine. 2017 Feb 22. (Epub ahead of print).
● https://youtu.be/AIciRkz3INI British Council | TeachingEnglish
Published on May 23, 2013
● Howard Gardner Quotes. (n.d.). Retrieved November 12, 2017, from
https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/h/howardgard480853.ht
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14. References
● How Flashcards Put You at a Disadvantage in Language Learning,
and How to Overcome that Disadvantage. (n.d.). Retrieved November
12, 2017, from http://www.tomisimo.org/blog/2007/language-
learning/how-flashcards-put-you-at-a-disadvantage-in-language-
learning-and-how-to-overcome-that-disadvantage/
● (n.d.). Retrieved November 10, 2017, from
https://www.coursera.org/learn/emotional-intelligence-in-
leadership/lecture/AlBuV/interview-competencies-of-an-effective-
leader-dr-chandrasekhar
