CardEd & The Leitner System: The Perfect Match! (Part 2 – Shape Recognition)

In our previous post, we considered how to use CardEd Set 1 and a modified version of the Leitner System to review letter sounds.

In today’s post, we focus on using CardEd Set 2 to show pupils how to use the Leitner System more fully (i.e. as a self-checking system) to support acquisition of shape names.

Again, this is being proposed as a means of introducing young learners to proven learning strategies with the aim of laying the foundations for good study habits.

As I mentioned in my last post, the Leitner System uses retrieval practice (a strategy in which information is deliberately recalled to enable examination of what is known) and the spacing effect (the phenomenon whereby learning is greater is spaced out over multiple sessions) to optimise learning (as demonstrated by greater ease of information recall).

To turn the CardEd cards into dual-sided self-checking cards as per the Leitner System, I simply added labels with sticky notes.  Depending on the age of the learners, pupils may be able to do this independently.

Once they are secure in using the Leitner System as shown here, pupils should be encouraged to create flashcards to support other aspects of their learning.  

It is important for primary teachers to offer lots of support to pupils in doing so.  Discerning important information from less important information is quite difficult to do and much guidance is needed before we can expect pupils to work independently in this regard.  Remind them also of the importance of having one piece of information per flashcard.

In a future post, I will examine other ways to use the Leitner System to support pupils and will discuss some of the resources available based on learning using flashcards.

Watch the video here!