Editing Flashcard (section)

{{distinguish|Flash cartridge}}
{{for|the form of digital memory sometimes called a "flash card"|Memory card}}{{short description|Tool for systematic learning}}
[[Image:Flashcard.png|230px|thumb|A set of flashcards demonstrating the [[Leitner system]]. Cards that the learner knows are promoted to a box for less frequent review (indicated by green arrows); cards for which the learner has forgotten the meaning are demoted to be studied more frequently (indicated by red arrows).]]

A '''flashcard''' or '''flash card''' is a card bearing [[information]] on both sides, usually intended to practice and/or aid [[memorization]]. It can be virtual (part of a [[list of flashcard software|flashcard software]]) or physical.

Typically, each flashcard bears a question or definition on one side and an answer or target term on the other. As such, flashcards are often used to memorize [[vocabulary]], historical dates, formulae, or any subject matter that can be learned via a question-and-answer format. 

Flashcards are an application of the [[testing effect]], the finding that [[long-term memory]] is increased when some part of an individual's learning period is devoted to retrieving information through testing with proper feedback. Study habits affect the rate at which a flashcard user learns, and proper [[spaced repetition|spacing of flashcards]] has been proven to accelerate learning.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Endres |first1=Tino |last2=Renkl |first2=Alexander |date=2015-07-24 |title=Mechanisms behind the testing effect: an empirical investigation of retrieval practice in meaningful learning |journal=Frontiers in Psychology |volume=6 |pages=1054 |doi=10.3389/fpsyg.2015.01054 |doi-access=free |issn=1664-1078 |pmc=4513285 |pmid=26257696}}</ref>