At 21st Night, we use flashcards for both fact-based subjects, like vocabulary or history, and process-based subjects, like math or chemistry.
Here’s how to create effective flashcards, depending on the subject you’re learning.
Creating effective fact-based cards
When you learn a fact, the most important thing is to be able to recall the fact in appropriate contexts.
This is why all of your fact-based cards should have a single chunk of information. Just ONE chunk!
Do NOT make cards that test lists.
For your explanation, the best explanation is always putting facts in context. Explain how this fact relates to other facts in your deck.
Creating effective process-based cards
When you learn a process, the most important thing is to be able to apply the process in appropriate contexts.
This is why all of your process-based cards should explain not just how to apply the process, but in what situation the process applies.
If you create a card for a process in math, the explanation would explain how to solve the question, in your own words.
Do NOT copy the explanation from the textbook. It’s important that you explain it to yourself!