I’m new to the concept of virtual flashcards - I gather the main advantage is that they’re more dynamic? For example, they can be randomized (which I used to achieve by shuffling the old paper ones) and by returning to words one doesn’t know that well. Also, I suppose the addition of audio helps. Are there any other advantages when compared with paper flashcards?
More importantly, are those advantages worth the time it takes to set them up? I’ve got piles of paper flashcards from schoool - is it worth typing them in?
I noticed that others mentioned iFlash on these forums. I’ve also looked at Studycard Studio (digital meadow). These two seem the best, followed by others that seem less robust such as istudy and flashcard suite.
Funnily enough, quasi-competitor Jer made a little flashcard app, that you can get at jerssoftwarehut.com . But if you’re interested in 'robust’ness, it’s probably a little flimsy for you. There are two free flashcard apps that I downloaded specifically for learning a language. They are Provoc and Ebbinghaus, both of which I imagine have all those niceties like adding media, and stuff. I haven’t used Ebbinghaus yet, having started ProVoc and found it very satisfactory for basic language vocab training (kaixo! Non daude maletak? Garagardoa polita da.).
As for convenience factor, I know that ProVoc has a bunch of files that you can download, with hundreds or thousands of vocab words for German, French, etc.
If you’re looking for something less language-specific, I don’t think Ebbinghaus has the same linguistic focus. That said, I don’t know what sort of features it would add as a result.
I’m one of those iFlash users. I use it for a lot of things, not the least of which is language study. The ability to add media such as sounds and images, as well as the ability to add as many ‘sides’ as needed, make it the one for me. I use it to study such things as yoga asanas and their Sanskrit names, other languages (Sanskrit, French, Greek, Latin primarily), general vocabulary study, and there are tons of downloadable files from other users to help with all of these, save the yoga poses (haven’t seen any collections of those just yet). I have even toyed with collecting works of art and testing myself on them–obviously possible only if the main field will accept images.
You can also make as many ‘smart folders’ you like, which are really tags and ways of categorizing and organizing all your entries. I even use it to organize quotes I want to house and perhaps use somewhere. Then you can gives yourself little quizzes and study tests to help you learn what you want to learn, just like ‘real’ flashcards. I tried several programs, but not the two cruxdestruct mentioned, so you may want to give Provoc a whirl.
Another free application of this kind is Backpack: see mammoetsoftware.com/backpack .
But like Alexandria, I’m a statisfied iFlash user. As far as I can see, iFlash is the best application of this kind. So if you really decide to go this way, you might consider giving it a serious try.
Timotheus & Alexandra, I quite agree about iflash. Although I must say I like ProVoc quite a bit as well - it’s a beautiful little program.
I’ve also found Genuis to be particularly interesting. http://web.mac.com/jrc/Genius/ It reminds me somewhat of Rosetta Stone’s teaching/testing algorhythm.
I was worried mainly about the availability of Homeric Greek cards (Latin and French are everywhere…) - not wanting to type my own cards in. But I’ve found plenty from the various online deck libraries, and have discovered that I can import/export from any deck library with a little fiddling.
In case anyone is interested, other programs of interest (some already mentioned) I’ve found are:
Yes, I tried ProVoc (yesterday). Very neat program, you are right. I still prefer iFlash, since it is a bit more flexible for my needs. But ProVoc has a very clean interface and does quite a bit as well. I may play with it some more.
I too study Greek, but Attic Greek more than Homeric. I’m glad you found some resources there. I downloaded quite a bit of Attic Greek and Sanskrit (another language of interest) from iFlash sources, but haven’t really tried others. Didn’t find so much with ProVoc’s collection.
So wonderful to have all these study and learning aids available, eh? I remember the day when there was so little offered for the Mac. Not any longer!!
The flashcard software I use is called studyPerfect. It isn’t free but it is worth the $15. It is really well made and they have excellent customer service. More benefits to making flashcards on your computer is that you don’t lose any by the time finals rolls around. And with this program, you can combine the decks you have made to study for finals or multiple subjects at once. And I also like that I don’t use paper (you can print them out but I don’t). I like to save a tree or two. Good luck with your studies! Oh, here is the website for this software: http://www.studyPerfect.com
I’m afraid that what we have here is a rather blatant advertisement; this person (or someone with the exact same, rather unusual username) is obviously connected to the makers of that software. cf: homeschoolspot.com/showthread.php?t=3760
