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Effective Use of Picture Flashcards

Flashcards (FCs) are cards with words, numbers or pictures used to help students and teachers learn or teach a subject. Teachers can generate their own FCs using online images, photocopies, or magazine cutouts. FCs should be laminated and a standard size like 18x12cm or 14x10cm for easy storage and manipulation. Teachers can use FCs for vocabulary practice through techniques like "Flash", "Slow motion", and "Magic Eyes" games which involve revealing or removing cards to test student memory. Additional activities include tic-tac-toe games, matching pictures to words, sorting into categories, and pictionary. FCs provide an engaging way for students to review content through interactive games

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
24 views3 pages

Effective Use of Picture Flashcards

Flashcards (FCs) are cards with words, numbers or pictures used to help students and teachers learn or teach a subject. Teachers can generate their own FCs using online images, photocopies, or magazine cutouts. FCs should be laminated and a standard size like 18x12cm or 14x10cm for easy storage and manipulation. Teachers can use FCs for vocabulary practice through techniques like "Flash", "Slow motion", and "Magic Eyes" games which involve revealing or removing cards to test student memory. Additional activities include tic-tac-toe games, matching pictures to words, sorting into categories, and pictionary. FCs provide an engaging way for students to review content through interactive games

Uploaded by

valeria feyen
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Profesorado de Ingles - Didáctica Especial I - Prof.

Alicia Villaba - Flashcards

Using Picture flashcards


FLASHCARDS (FCs) are cards that have words, numbers or pictures on them and
that are used to help students and teachers learn or teach about a subject.

As the name suggests, these cards are displayed or shown briefly (as in a flash) by
a teacher to a class, usually as a teaching aid.

Some suggestions on how to use them.

We can use flashcards for teaching vocabulary, practicing vocabulary, as a prompt


or cue for drills and games, for speaking practice or testing, etc. The "names" of
the techniques were made-up for reference purposes.

You can generate your own FCs using images from internet, photocopies from
books or magazine cutouts.

Make them all the same size so as to manipulate them more easily. They should be
big enough for sts to see from the back of the classroom but not too large because
it will make it difficult for you to store them or manipulate them. An ideal size could
be 18 by 12 cm (so you get 2 in an A4 page size) or 14 by 10cm.(so you get 4 in
an A4 page size)

Laminate your FCs so that they last longer. You can use them many times or sts
can manipulate them in games or sorting out activities.

Some Techniques or activities

1. "Flash". when revising or practicing vocabulary, first get sts attention, and then
show the Flashcard very fast. Sts say the word or a phrase using the word
represented in the FC. eg. : "apple" or "It's an apple" This adds an element of fun
or challenge.

2. "Slow motion". Cover the FC that you are going to use and gradually reveal the
picture. (You can use another blank card to do this). Children identify what's in the
FC as soon as they can recognize it, and say: Apple! or It's an apple. This technique
creates "suspense" and gets sts attention.

3. "What's missing?" Get the FC on the board. Get the sts to repeat the words in
the order they are set. apple, orange, banana, pineapple, coconut, watermelon. Ask
the sts to close their eyes and cover their eyes with their hands. Then remove one
of the FCs from the board and hide it behind your back. Ask sts to open their eyes
and say: What's missing? "The coconut!!"

4. "Magic Eyes" Place the FC that you are going to use in a row on the board. (six
is a good number to use as this is the number that young children can retain in
their short-term memory, but you can gradually increase the challenge by adding
more FCs) Get the sts to repeat the words with you in a rhythmic way snapping
your fingers or tapping on the desk to mark the rhythm or chant. "elephant, zebra,
crocodile, camel, whale, giraffe!"

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Profesorado de Ingles - Didáctica Especial I - Prof. Alicia Villaba - Flashcards

Then remove one of the FC and go again. "elephant, zebra, crocodile, camel, whale,
giraffe!" When they get to the empty space they will use their memory and say the
word anyway without needing the picture. Go on removing FCs until there is no one
left. This is a fun alternative for repetition, memorizing and pronunciation practice.

[Link]

5. "Tic. tac -toe" Place the FCs face back on the board. (picture side facing the
board) with tape on a 3 x 3 grid. you can number the cards 1 - 9. Divide class in
two teams. Sts in turn choose one of the cards 1-9, you flip it over and if they say
the right word or a sentence using the word represented in the FC, they score for
their team. The objective of this game is to get three boxes in a row to win, either
horizontally, vertically or diagonally. Using FCs for a game like this, adds an
element of surprise and fairness. Keep some extra cards to replace the ones that
have been used in case you want to play a second or third match.

6. Match the pictures to the words.

7. Find the matching pair.

8. Sort out and make categories.

9. Bingo.

10. Relay board race.

11. Guess in 8

12. Mime it.

13. Point to the right one.

14. The odd one out.

15. Pictionary

16. Taboo

17. Guess my "word" /my job/ my animal/ etc.

The list of possibilities for FC activities is endless. Don't be afraid to try and use
your creativity to design new ones. Always share your successful techniques with
others. Good luck with your teaching.

love, Ms Alice. 
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Profesorado de Ingles - Didáctica Especial I - Prof. Alicia Villaba - Flashcards

Common questions

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The 'Magic Eyes' technique, where flashcards are placed in a sequence and removed one by one, challenges students' short-term memory and retrieval skills. By requiring students to recall words missing from the sequence, it engages their working memory and strengthens neural pathways for information retrieval. Additionally, this method's repetitive nature can improve focus and cognitive flexibility, essential for adapting and recalling varied vocabulary .

Prompt cues offered by flashcards serve a critical role in speaking practice by providing visual triggers that assist students in recalling and producing vocabulary and language structures. This visual association supports language learners in formulating spoken responses more easily and accurately, aiding fluency and spontaneous language use. It promotes active language production rather than passive recognition .

The 'Flash' technique stimulates learning by quickly presenting a flashcard to students, which encourages instant recognition and responses. This method adds an element of challenge and excitement, as students need to process and recall information swiftly. It enhances quick thinking and immediate recall abilities essential for language learning, helping students to rapidly connect visual stimuli with language constructs .

Flashcards can enhance vocabulary retention by utilizing various engaging techniques such as 'Flash', 'Slow motion', and 'What's missing', which add fun and challenge to learning. For instance, briefly showing a flashcard ('Flash') tests rapid recall, and gradually revealing a card ('Slow motion') builds suspense and aids recognition. Repetition through games like 'Tic Tac Toe' encourages active participation and memorization. Techniques that involve rhythm and repetition can further strengthen memory recall, making these methods effective in reinforcing vocabulary retention .

The element of surprise in flashcard activities, such as unexpected image presentations or sudden card removals, can stimulate student curiosity and engagement. Surprising elements captivate students' attention and break the monotony of traditional learning tasks, creating an eager learning atmosphere. This increased alertness can lead to higher levels of motivation and a positive attitude towards the learning process, thereby enhancing overall educational outcomes .

Rhythmic repetition, used in vocabulary exercises with flashcards, is effective in enhancing memory retention. By incorporating rhythm, such as tapping or snapping to a chant of words, this technique capitalizes on auditory and kinesthetic learning styles. It helps anchor words in long-term memory through the rhythmic patterns and physical activity, which engage multiple senses and cognitive processes. This multisensory approach aids in stronger memory consolidation and recall .

The 'Slow motion' method involves gradually revealing a picture on a flashcard to students, allowing them to guess the image as it's uncovered. This creates a suspenseful atmosphere which heightens students' attention and engagement. By invoking curiosity and providing a participatory element, it helps maintain interest and encourages students to focus on visual cues for quicker image recognition .

The 'What's missing?' game with flashcards serves to reinforce memory and recall of vocabulary. By having students close their eyes while a card is removed, the game challenges them to remember which item is missing from the sequence they repeated earlier. This exercise promotes active engagement and reinforces short-term memory, as students must rely on their recollection of the cards' previous arrangements .

Dividing a classroom into teams for the 'Tic Tac Toe' flashcard game introduces a social and competitive element, which may motivate students to actively participate. It fosters collaboration, strategic thinking, and communication skills. As teams work together to remember and articulate vocabulary associated with the flashcards, this interactive setting can enhance peer learning and support a dynamic learning environment .

Involving creativity in designing new flashcard activities is important as it caters to diverse learning styles and keeps the material engaging. Creative activities can adapt to different educational needs, making learning accessible and enjoyable for various student demographics. Additionally, innovative approaches can challenge cognitive function and encourage critical thinking, problem-solving, and adaptability, essential skills for comprehensive language acquisition .

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