Quizlet is another app that seems like it has been around ever since I knew what an app was. It is also another app that is always relative in and out of the classroom, for all grades, and all ages. Quizlet is also a very effective way to study. It is also a classic tool used by teachers and students alike to study or review for a test.
Quizlet, has changed and made a whole new meaning when it comes to flash cards. Much like everything else these days, flash cards are now digital! While I am personally a huge fan and believer in re-writing materials/notes or making your own flash cards to study with, this is one app that I completely support.
Quizlet is an app that allows you to make flash card sets. It has made studying an on the go and convenient trend. You can access your flash card set from the website or from the app. So, you can literally study from anywhere! In the car, on a plane, or in between classes; your flashcards are ready and available for studying! The app has also made improvements and huge changes since it first came out and now it is incredibly engaging with its users.
How Do I Sign Up and Use Quizlet?
Here we go again signing our life away and giving the details of our lives to the internet! If you know ow to sign up for any other type of app or program, Quizlet is no different. Although, it does give you the option to sign in with a Google or Facebook account. This is a new feature that apps have upgraded to and have been offering. If you already have a google account, I would suggest using that for your account for Quizlet because it uses the same login and password. As we all know, signing up and trying to keep up with usernames and passwords, is just too much to handle sometimes, so why not make it easier for yourself?
If you do not want to sign up for Quizlet with either Facebook or Google, you can go through the sign up process on the computer or through the app. Even if you do not sign up for an account, you have the option to create a set, but you will not have access to the other many features the website offers.
A brand new feature that I want to talk about, is the diagram one. I had not seen this until today and I wish it was an option a long time ago. I selected the diagram link on the website and it took me to the page with different topics and kinds of diagrams. I chose the diagram of the heart. The diagram had all the details of what an actual heart looks like and had all the parts labelled.
After skimming and reviewing my knowledge on the human heart, I pressed the matching option. It gave me about five different areas to match. It circled the area that I was to name and on the side were my options. It was honestly one of the most coolest and fascinating things I have done online. If I had to know the parts of the heart, I would definitely use this new feature on the app.
You can create folders on Quizlet. For example, I have an environmental science folder. So, whenever I made a new chapter set, I put it in that folder to keep them all together. That way, I later do not have to search all around my other sets to find a certain topic. They will all just be right there, conveniently placed.
Games is a huge feature on Quizlet and probably my second favorite part of the app. My favorite one to do is the matching one. You have to match the term to the description while you also try to improve how fast you pair them up. Another game, is the space one. I have not had much experience with it, but I am sure it is also helpful for reviewing.
When looking at your flash cards, you also have the option to listen to them. Their is an audio portion that will repeat the word for you. This helps in practicing fluency and pronunciation. It is also a great thing when teaching or learning a foreign language.
Quizlet allows you to share your sets. They make it very easy to share. You can send the link to your friends so they can use the set. You can share it through you gmail account if you are hooked up with Google accounts. You can also share with your classroom by giving them a code to access the folder.
Quizlet has the option for a pro account. If you decide to upgrade to the pro account, it does allow even more special features. One example, is that it includes a night time feature. So, if you are laying in bed and want to study, Quizlet has not made it easier to do so!
The most known features and uses for Quizlet are the flash cards and the tests. Obviously, Quizlet is for the usage of flash cards. On these flash cards, you can hear the word pronounced, edit them, or star them. Starring a card means that you need more practice and review with it or maybe it means that you know those words and are confident with them. Tests can be given on Quizlet through: multiple choice, write ins, spelling what you hear, and writing to match the definition.
To create a set, you will hit create. From there, you give it a title, maybe add a picture to go with, and begin adding cards. It will ask for the term and the definition for each new card. You will fill each thing out, the left and right. On the right, is usually the definition. It will have you write it out, maybe add a photo, and select your language. You will continue to do this for every card and you can add how many ever you want or need.
How to Incorporate Quizlet in the Classroom
Quizlet offers you the opportunity to create your own classroom folder. This will allow you to make any sets or diagrams for that specific class. All you will have to do is give the access code to your students and they will be able to use the folder as a study resource. This is certainly one way of incorporating the app into the classroom.
Another way, is to use it as a review tool. Make it in to a game. Have students quietly review their cards each day, build it in to your lesson plan time. Have students create their own set to use or share with the class. If you want your class to use it, explain why, how to do it, and give them in-class time to do it. There are so many ways to use anything, you just have to decide how to introduce it and make use of it to make a meaningful impression on your students.
An example I found while searching on the internet that I will want to use in my classroom, is to use Quizlet to introduce and review sight words. I wasn't sure how to use Quizlet for the younger grades, but this seems like a good idea! You would have thought it would have been a simple idea, but sometimes the simplest of ideas are the best. This lets students be introduced to flash cards, learn how they are used, let them explore the site, review in fun and engaging ways, and allows parents access to all of the class sight words. They would have the code to access the folder and be able to see what their child is learning and help them use the app to study.
My Experiences and Opinions
This app has been a huge life saver and an essential study tool for me, especially when I got into high school and college. It is easy to use and can be used anywhere. I could use it on the way to school, in between classes, before practices, in Target, or wherever I was at the time. It is so easy to study and review for my tests with having a study material right at the tips of my fingers.
I still use homemade flash cards, just for repetition and practice physically writing down the info, but if I am being honest, I really prefer Quizlet. I love that I can create my own tests on it. It lets me practice the type of formatting my teacher will use, while still relying on the information it has. So Quizlet allows me to be introduced to several formats of testing.
Another thing that I love about the app is the matching. I get competitive when doing this. I treat it as a game. I compete against myself, to challenge myself to get a better time score each round. While my goal may be to get a faster time, I retain a lot of the information. I have to match them up correctly or it penalizes me by adding time to the timer. I also get to see the same pairings if I play it enough times. This helps me reviewing it and by creating a sense of automaticity with the term and its definition.
In my opinion, I find Quizlet to be a great tool to know about. I will want to introduce this in my classroom. The app adapts to all kind of teaching styles and learning types, making it easy to use for all students. The app also does a good job of actively engaging its users. Quizlet is also just a 21st century skill that further and benefit students education.
References
Jtrs Econocom. 10 Ways of Using Quizlet in the Classroom. Retrieved October 8, 2018 from https://www.jtrs.co.uk/blog/teaching-with-technologies-1/post/10-ways-of-using-quizlet-in-the-classroom-8
Quizlet Website [website page]. Retrieved October 8, 2018 from https://quizlet.com
Quizlet Logo [online image]. Retrieved October 8, 2018 from https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2498480,00.asp
Quizlet tutorial image [online image]. Retrieved October 8, 2018 from https://wghstechwizard.weebly.com/quizlet.html
Quizlet example [online image]. Retrieved October 8, 2018 from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VsJhxvhmqzo
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