How to Create Flash Cards on Your Computer
By Candace Benson
Creating flash cards on your computer can help you, a friend or your child when studying for an exam. Flash card memorization is a popular studying technique, and there are several free services that allow you to create, share and to use flashcards online or to print them out. In order to create flash cards on your computer, you'll need to register for an account and use a flash card-creator website, download and install flash card creator software, or create your own template in your word processor.
Step 1
Register for an account at an online flash card website, such as Scholastic's Flash Card Maker, FlashcardExchange, or Flashcard Machine. Web-based flash card creators usually let you share flash cards with other users and to study with other users' flash cards.
Step 2
Download and install a flash card-creator program such as Cue Creator or IQ Flash Cards. Make sure the software is compatible with your operating system. With dedicated software, you can design and print out flash cards whether online or offline.
Step 3
Use a word processor to format flash card-sized frames or columns of your choosing. While flash cards are traditionally written on 3-by-5 index cards, you can use whatever configuration works best for you in a word processor.
References
Tips
- Scholastic's Flash Card Maker is free but only allows you to input words or numbers, while FlashCardExchange and FlashCardMachine both offer more robust flash card configurations, such as including images, audio, or chemical formulas.
- Web-based flash card creators are generally cross-platform-compatible, so you can access them whether using Windows, Mac or Linux.
- Creating your own flash card template in a word processor affords you the most freedom in designing flash cards, but it also requires the most initial setup time.
- Check your word processor's templates to see if someone has already built a flash card template.
- Print your flash cards with a full duplex printer, if possible. The printer will print your flash cards on both sides of the paper--without any additional tweaks required on your part.
Writer Bio
Candace Benson has nearly five years of experience as a volunteer coordinator and has worked for non-profits and state agencies. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Benson wrote for a number of video game websites and blogs and worked as a technical support agent. Benson currently writes for eHow.