Flashcards are a study tool that can be used to aid in memorization and recall of information. They are typically two-sided, with a prompt or question on one side and the corresponding answer or information on the other side. Flashcards can be used to memorize vocabulary, historical dates, formulae, or any subject matter that can be learned via a question-and-answer format.

Flashcards can be physical or virtual. Physical flashcards are two-sided cards that can be made using cue cards, pieces of paper, or other materials. Virtual flashcards can be created using a wide range of software, including open source and online services. Some popular electronic flashcard tools include Brainscape and Quizlet.

Flashcards exercise the mental process of active recall, where given a prompt or question, one produces the answer. The act of making flashcards can also be a way to work the information, challenging the user to think about which information to have on one side and the related description on the other.

Flashcards are an application of the testing effect, which is the finding that long-term memory is increased when some of the learning period is devoted to retrieving the information through testing with proper feedback. Proper spacing of flashcards has been proven to accelerate learning.

Using flashcards can be a very effective self-testing approach. The traditional use of flashcards is for memorization only, but flashcards can be used for more complex tasks if designed correctly. Flashcards-Plus is a technique that expands the use of flashcards to help students understand and prepare for three types of multiple-choice questions commonly found on psychology tests: those that measure retention, comprehension, and application.

Flashcards are a versatile learning strategy that benefits students of all ages. They are a great study tool if you need to memorize definitions, facts, or short pieces of information for a test. Flashcards support active recall by creating neural pathways, which make it easier to call up informati...