SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE: By Amanda Hurless
How Quizlet Can Help Meet the Needs of Different Learners
Sitting in class, learning about and exploring web 2.0 tools, I often think how great and useful they look. I think: Wow! That looks really cool. I want to use that somehow! But, in the same moment of aw and excitement, I’m confronted with thinking, but how will my students be able to use this? Am I even going to be able to use this where I’m at? When I came across Quizlet, I was no less skeptical. What could this
tool offer my students? What it is Quizlet (
quizlet.com) is, at first glance, the newest version of flashcards. By creating a free account with an e-mail address, users can make their own virtual set of flashcards in order to study any subject they wish. What’s unique about this tool is that versus ordinary flashcards it gives you several “study modes” through which you can interact with the material. From “Learn,” which requires a short response to “Test,” which can be set to provide questions in various formats to “Scatter” and
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“Space Race,” which present the material in a game format, Quizlet stages an interactive learning platform that can’t be matched by index cards.
What you can do Quizlet is more than a paperless alternative to memorization. By creating an account, users gain access to thousands of flashcard sets that have already been created by other users by clicking on “Find Flashcards.” Need to study terms for your test on Latin verbs? There’s a set for that. Looking to brush up on polynomial functions? There’s a set for that. Perhaps you want your students to study the vocabulary from chapters one and two, but can only find the terms separated into two sets by chapter. Simply have them find each set, click on them, and “Add to favorites.” From there, your students can go to their “Dashboard,” click on one of the sets, click “Combine,” add the second set, choose a “study mode,” and they’re off!
If you can’t find what you want, you can just create your own set by clicking on “Make Flashcards.” You determine who has access to them and who can edit them. You can also add images for your visual learners. From “My Groups” you can create groups and invite your students by e-mail to join them. As a member of a group, you can discuss flashcard sets with other group members and send messages to them, as well as edit the flashcard set if allowed by the group’s creator. Better yet, have your students be the creators.
Quizlet encourages collaboration. You want your students to learn certain material—why not learn from each other? While you are reviewing the American Revolution in class, you could
Fall 2011 | MACULJOURNAL
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