What is StudyStack?
StudyStack is a study tool “that makes learning, memorizing information, and preparing for an exam, a fun, stress-free, and enjoyable experience”. The basic version is free and includes gamified study activities including crossword puzzles, matching cards, guessing before the snowman melts, multiple-choice questions, direct tests, word scrambles, and other games such as Hungry bug, and Bug match which are automatically generated with the initial study flashcards you create.
This free browser online tool promotes learner choice; learners can choose from a range of activities, selecting those that meet their preferred method of learning. What’s more, the tool does all the work for busy teachers. There is a ‘Pro’ paid version, which enables you to remove advertising.
StudyStack can be used on iOS and Android devices and available on the App and Google Stores.
How do I use StudyStack?
In StudyStack you create flip cards; ideal for learning course terminology, revision, or self-assessment. The cards might have a question on one side and flipping them over reveals the answer or they could be used for terms/definitions.
The process of creating the cards is straight forward you just add the text (e.g. term and definition) to the template card.
Take a look at this video which is a StudyStack How-To.
As well as creating your own cards, existing flip cards are available to use. You can print the flashcards you have created.
Once you have made your flip cards, StudyStack creates a whole range of interactive activities based on their content – activities as shown below. Particularly useful are Matching, Crosswords, Type in (gap-fill), Quiz, and Unscramble. So lots of different ways to support vocabulary acquisition and comprehension.
Activities
- Activities could be created for use by the whole class in the classroom (lesson starters, end of session quizzes) or by learners individually during the session or for independent study at home.
- You can ask learners to create their own flip cards and share them with the rest of the class. Students can access and use the cards or activities without logging in.
- Learners add to just parts of the flashcards, collaborating in the activity.
- Activities around vocabulary, grammar rules, formulas, and definitions work well.
- StudyStack activities can be embedded within a Virtual Learning Environment.
Written for HOLEX by Ideas4Learning Limited