Quizlet - more than powerful flashcards

Introduction

    Quizlet is a free website (as well as the app for Android and iOS), which enables anyone (teachers and students) to create flashcards that can be shared, embedded in your blogs or classroom website, or even print them out. More than that, the flashcards created can automatically become scatter and space race games that feels engaging. With the Android or Apple smartphone app, students can elearn, review or play matching games anytime and anywhere they go.

Functions and implementations of Quizlet

    Note that Quizlet can be used for the purpose far beyond vocabulary learning, such as some information matching activities like matching main ideas of particular articles, questions with answers, etc. The following only take vocabulary activities as an example.

1. Starting from the basic function - flashcards, the teacher can make flashcards containing key words, their definitions in target language/L1 and even pictures and audio recordings (default voice is free and not bad to use), pretty much like the flashcards I have made above, please try it:

          a. click the word in the centre of the flashcard to hear the pronunciation

          b. click other part to flip and see the picture and definitions

          c. click bullet to see the next word

Making Quizlet read the words and definitions out loud and having students read after it can enhance students grasp of their pronunciations. As noted by Paivio (2006, cited in Walker & White 2013), visual and verbal elements are processed and stored in different ways by the brain, pictures together with verbal elements provide redundancy thus facilitating learning and memorisation. 

2. Changing the mode at the bottom right side to 'Speller', this studying mode requires students to listen and type the words down, pictures and definitions on the right remind them of the meaning of the words and strengthen their memory. Error spellings will be visually corrected and it will also read the correct spelling letter by letter. Have a try.

3. Choose the 'Learn' mode, and you can have students type the correct words. The more frequently incorrect words will be automatically brought back to help them remember again. This can either be used before the end of the class to make vocabulary review or be used by students outside the classroom to strengthen their memory.

4. Make vocabulary lists and print them out like this (you can choose different formats, big flashcards, vocabulary lists, etc.):

5. Try the different game modes! Vocabulary activities can be such fun!

    Embed the flashcards to your blog the websites for the class after each lesson. You can have students review what they have learned in playing games. The mechanics in games like scores, level upgrading and time constraints can easily engage learners into learning process.

6. Using QR code to have students access your digital teaching materials outside the classroom by using their smartphones or computers at home. They can learn and play the match games of your flashcards. A good way to remember new information well is to repeat the learning process at times at different situations. Learn English on the go~

7. If you upgrade your Quizlet account to 'Teacher'(not free), you will be able to add your own voice recordings, track the progress of students learning.

Problem

1. Note that the pronunciations of one word can be different depending on the forms and uses of it, like the word 'record' has different syllable stresses in verb and noun forms.

2. One single word may have different uses and meanings in different contexts, teacher should be aware of this when making flashcards or having students making their owns. 

Reference:

Walker, A. & White, G. (2013). Technology enhanced language learning: Connecting theory 

    and practice. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Chapter 6.