Quizlet: Updated Digital Flashcards

Hey and welcome back to another digital tool review, by yours truly!


This time I decided to review a tool that I have previously used during my time teaching in Thailand, Quizlet. This platform allows teachers and learners, and literally anyone to create digital flashcards that can be used in basic memorization exercises. I have fond memories of using this for my students to study vocabulary. However, upon reflection on those yesteryears, this option was useful as a summative assessment. This was a wonderful tool to use for reviewing vocabulary because you're using this at the end of vocabulary and "drill" into memory.

Unlike Peergrade, Quizlet is free forever however if you would like to use QuizletPlus. It will be $36/year to use and enjoy features like curated "study paths, mixed question options (multiple choice, written, etc), practice tests, and dynamic feedback". You'll also have better tech support service and the ability to download your flashcards to use in an offline setting and never have to look at another advert while studying.

QuizletPlus pricing model

With that let's look at some of the pros and cons of Quizlet...

Pros

  • Large user database to use resources
  • Creative ease to making a study set
  • Sharing flashcards with the public or specific classes
Cons

  • You can only make flashcards
  • Limited activities to create based on flashcards (match, test, or “learn” methods)
  • Limited capabilities of “Learn” and “Test” methods

The Ratings

As we go over core components that facilitators will be using this tool, I use the following 4-star rating system: 4=Excellent, 3=Good, 2= Some Concerns, 1=Serous Concerns

Privacy: ⭐⭐⭐

Again students do have to log in if they decide to create their own flashcards. However, if the teacher shares their link with their learners they do not have to log in. Going through the privacy efforts that this site goes through, they seem thorough with all legal ramifications, abiding by both EU & USA governmental laws. There is a short paragraph that briefly details how Quizlet is part of COPPA and has a certification. But the fact remains that the privacy page has so many subheadings and details depending on your comfort level. The amount of information is either overwhelming and stressful or gives you the ease of mind that they have gone to the lengths to be this transparent about the lengths they go to.


Quizlet & COPPA

Accessibility: ⭐⭐⭐

I have seen my students previously use their mobile devices (phones, tablets, and laptops) to use flashcards. Each study set of flashcards can also have an audio added or a video component. Obviously, as a flashcard, it will have text but it is can be read by the visually impaired. It is possible to use flashcards offline. However, that feature is only found in the QuizletPlus bracket and not in the free tier. In which all users must have the paid tier to enjoy all of the features.


Pedagogical Considerations: ⭐⭐

If I used the test function of the flashcards then it would be more summative than formative. Not to say that this is not dynamic or engaging but as I have stated before this is definitely not suited for a formative experience. But it works for learners in an independent or paired scenario when they're testing their summative knowledge on a subject.


Quizlet's "Learn" Mode



Quizlet's "Matching" Mode



Quizlet's Test Mode



Data Retrieval: ⭐⭐

As I had mentioned before there is a test feature and you can what answers you got wrong and see what was correct. But I don’t see a feasible way to export the data to an LMS or excel sheet. With the push for 21st-century classroom design, this fails the portion with ease of use with an LMS (learning management system).


Support: ⭐⭐⭐

Quizlet does have a help center on their website but I do not see options to talk to a person. Also, there are plenty of YouTube videos from independent creators and official Ouizlet videos to refer to as well.



In conclusion, I do not recommend this platform. Looking back currently, it is very limiting I feel. In the last review, you can create 30+ activities all on WordWall, including flashcards. Whereas here you have 5 exercises to pull from instead. Also, the lack of data retrieval for the educator to transfer grades to an LMS or easily analyze learners' progress or grasp of the material is lacking. Not to mention, if you're the type of educator who is passionate about the scaffolding of information, flashcards don't really work in a 21st-century classroom anymore. Flashcards are what I used and my parents used in their schooling, future generations will require something that leaves low-tech activities like that behind in the past.

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