Secondary Schools
Secondaries: Flippers aid the quantum leap
Making the transition from primary to secondary education is a stressful time for many pupils. They are launched into many new subjects at a pace they haven't experienced before.
It's not surprising some experience "information overload" and feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of new material they have to master.
The use of Flippers study cards helps them break down key information into manageable segments.
It gives them a system that is simple, useful and puts them back in charge of their studies.
In turn, that helps bolster self-confidence.
Flippers consist of 60 small blank cards on a metal ring. Pupils write down the word, sum or question on one side and the answer on the other.
When all the cards for the lesson have been filled in they look at the questions and try to answer them. Then they just flip over the card and find out if they were right.
Repeated use of the cards helps them quickly memorise the information.
Among new intakes Flippers can be used by teachers to help remedy any deficiencies in language and numeracy skills - so pupils can properly get on with the new curriculum.
For S1 and S2 pupils, Flippers study cards are a highly effective aid for English, vocabulary and numeracy revision. Many secondary teachers have introduced them as homework assignments and for personal study time.
Because of their compact nature, cards can be memorised anywhere - even when travelling on a bus or train.
Flippers are also excellent for memorising foreign vocabulary and phrases, chemistry formulae, history dates, art and music terms - indeed, information on any subject.
Pupils build up their own personal study aid which is invaluable when revising for exams.
Regular usage is the key. Pupils benefit most from Flippers when the cards are allocated regular time slots within the class curriculum.
Study card entries should be kept short and simple: one fact or phrase per card, with the answer on the back. And a new Flippers booklet for every subject.
To help you, we've included best practice methods as recommended by teachers who use the cards, and a list of the subjects our study cards can be used for.
Survey
Pink Porcupine conducted a survey on the effectiveness of Flippers study cards in primary and secondary schools. Under the aegis of Glasgow City Council Education Services, a cross section of primary and secondary schools throughout the city participated. Teachers introduced Flippers into the classroom curriculum and monitored their effects. The results were impressive:
- 94.4 per cent of all pupils liked using the cards
- 80.4 per cent of all teachers were 'extremely satisfied' or 'satisfied' with their effectiveness - and wanted to continue using them
"They re-engage pupils with the learning process in a new way," teachers said.
Testimonials
"I think that they are a great simple idea for my dyslexic students..."
Deb Taylor
Press
"Embracing the high tech (in education) does not mean that we should abandon the low tech. Flippers are just what they claim to be - an aid to learning... Given their obvious applications to numeracy and literacy they may also be something of a godsend. Flippers have resulted in substantial progress simply because the information was close to hand, easy to access and under the control of the child"
Michael Russell, Times Educational Supplement Scotland