User-generated digital flashcards yield better learning than premade flashcards.

Digital fl ashcard users typically must choose between creating their own fl ashcard content or using freely available fl ashcard sets. The latter is more convenient and saves time, but is it more effective for learning? We conducted six experiments, each involving the use of user-generated or premade fl ashcards to learn material drawn from educational text passages, followed by a 48-hr delayed criterial test. Different approaches to generating content and variations in the quality of premade content were also examined. Across experiments, user-generated fl ashcards improved memory relative to premade fl ashcards (an estimated advantage of d = 0.45, 95% CI [0.25, 0.66]), and in most cases, enhanced performance on application questions (an estimated advantage of d = 0.29, 95% CI [0.12, 0.45]). These results suggest that generating one ’ s own fl ashcards enables productive learning processes that enhance memory and comprehension. Accordingly, digital fl ashcard users may bene fi t from eschewing premade versions in favor of making their own.