Quizlet: Clarifying some functions

 In my last post, I mentioned the open source app, Anki, for creating flashcard decks. My conclusion is that as an open  source app, it will always be free to users, but overall, Quizlet is still more user-friendly, and more fun to use, although it is not meant for Spaced Repetition. 

Quizlet functionality: 

Flash Cards Creation

- You can start with WORDS, or a DIAGRAM. The latter is a function I like. Upload a picture, and insert a few hotspots. Give each spot the term that students are to learn. The resulting task requires students to learn the names of different parts of diagram (e.g., The Water Cycle)

- You can also create decks with a picture on the Front side of each card (e.g., Names of animals in French). When studying the cards, students look at the picture on the Front (the default side), and recall the term in French. And so on. 

To create a deck like that: 

a. In the Terms column, enter the terms to learn as usual. 

b. In the Definition column, leave the text box blank. Click on the Image icon on the far right, and either choose from one of the popped-up images, or upload your own. 

c. Create. 

d. Go to the Settings menu, and choose 'Show Picture first'. 

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Learn, Test, and Match

Learn

For me, the first mode 'Flash cards', is for learning. Students click through the whole deck, and look at both sides of a card to learn the content. 

But Quizlet uses the term 'Learn' for Self-testing. Students look at each question (derived from the deck) that pops up and tries to answer it. When finished, students are prompted to re-try the cards which they got wrong. (But of course this is not Spaced Repetition.)

Test

'Test' differs from 'Learn' in that: 

- in addition to MC questions for 'Learn', there are also other question types which students can select to challenge themselves (e.g., T/F; Write). 

- After students have submitted their answers, they will be shown their score. 

Match

This works like a game. On the screen are a number of small rectangles; half of them are the terms; and the other half are the definitions. Students click them in pairs. 

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So, overall, I think Quizlet provides some fun ways of self-regulated learning for students to learn some terms and their meanings.