User-generated digital flashcards yield better learning than premade flashcards.

Abstract

Digital flashcard users typically must choose between creating their own flashcard content or using freely available flashcard sets. The latter is more convenient and saves time, but is it more effective for learning? We conducted six experiments, each involving the use of user-generated or premade flashcards to learn material drawn from educational text passages, followed by a 48-hr delayed criterial test. Different approaches to generating content and variations in the quality of premade content were also examined. Across experiments, user-generated flashcards improved memory relative to premade flashcards (an estimated advantage of d = 0.45, 95% CI [0.25, 0.66]), and in most cases, enhanced performance on application questions (an estimated advantage of d = 0.29, 95% CI [0.12, 0.45]). These results suggest that generating one's own flashcards enables productive learning processes that enhance memory and comprehension. Accordingly, digital flashcard users may benefit from eschewing premade versions in favor of making their own.

Can successive relearning enhance performance on application-based exam questions?

“…If instructors did not assign course credit, usage rates would likely be significantly lower than observed in our experiments (Maurer & Shipp, 2021, but also see J. L. Janes et al, 2018, for higher rates of self-regulated successive relearning). Instructors could also consider encouraging students to create their own digital flashcards (which can be even more effective than premade flashcards, Pan et al, 2022). In summary, instructors could help students engage in successive relearning in many different ways.…”

The Effect of Flashcards in Online-Based Maharah Kitabah Learning on Learning Outcomes

“…Another research results (Lailatul Muflikha, 2018) showed that Flashcards study on improving students' writing skills and improving student learning responses is quite good. Pan et al, (2022) suggested that generating one's own flashcards enabled productive learning processes that enhanced memory and comprehension.…”