ANKI FLASHCARDS
PRACTICAL EXAMPLES
ANKI
The AnkiWeb site hosts thousands of card decks free for download. Simply register and install the desktop program on your computer. Alternatively, you can download AnkiDroid (for Android only) using the link below!
If you'd like to try a multimodal deck to see what it's like, I've included the "Mandarin Chinese Core 100 - Basic words (EN ZH with audio)" deck for your convenience.
(Source: chineseclass101.com)
WHAT IS IT?
Anki is a digital flashcard application that is both beloved and despised by its users. It is a software solution that transforms the traditional flashcard learning experience making use of spaced repetition, metadata tagging, and multimodality. This software promotes makes use of symbolic cognition to help users learn more quickly and has shown to improve users’ long-term memory through consistent use (Hanson & Brown, 2020). A network of online learners collaborate to create and share their multimodal flashcard which help students across disciplines improve their cognitive abilities.
WHY IS IT USEFUL?
For years I have seen my ESL students struggle to retain new vocabulary long-term. Many language teachers overlook the importance of teaching vocabulary and fail to provide guidance to students on how to achieve this on their own (Zimmerman, 1997). These students largely did not understand parts of speech, were often memorizing large tomes of random, disorganized vocabulary for standardized tests, and frequently failed to apply these new words in meaningful real-world contexts.
Anki is a great solution for this problem because it transforms the traditional flashcard learning experience into a game that makes use of spaced repetition, metadata tagging, and multimodality.
The spaced repetition algorithm helps users to more efficiently map cognitive processes (Mayer, 2014) and takes advantage of symbolic cognition by doing so multimodally thereby optimizing the learner's cognitive load while still progressively challenging them over time.
BEST PRACTICES
It is important that educators scaffold the use of this application, as many of the menu options can be confusing and frustrating at first. Teachers should also demonstrate the intended function of the app to students so they know not to simple click Easy any time they get a right answer, rather they should be choosing Again if there is hesitation. Demonstrating this procedural approach should optimize their cognitive efficiency (Mayer, 2014), especially if the cards are multimodal. Teachers can also rank the collected vocabulary and give weaker students a curated, level-appropriate deck. It is also important that teachers collect a wide array of low and high-end vocabulary when creating a class or unit deck, though this is more feasible for educators teaching multiple classes with the same subject matter.
IN-CLASS APPLICATIONS
I typically use this as a synergistic self-directed activity where students are not mandated to review the class vocabulary using this app, but I encourage and support them to use it. I will often compile sets of relevant vocabulary from the students and provide it to them in the following class. These decks can be expanded upon over successive semesters which really makes a robust, contextually appropriate set of vocabulary for students to practice in my classes.
WHERE TO START?
Video resources to help you get started
** Citation in the "References" **
![How To Use Anki Like A Pro [Full Step-By-Step Walkthrough]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/WmPx333n5UQ/maxresdefault.jpg)
