Community reviews for Brainscape - Smart Flashcards

Due to my default application for quiz sets being Quizlet, I will be comparing this application to Quizlet. In Brainscape, the creation process for flashcards is a little less intuitive than Quizlet. However, I like the feature in Brainscape that allows you rate your knowledge of the card, allowing it to be shuffled more frequently or less frequently in the deck. I also like the content on Brainscape better than Quizlet. For example, I’m currently studying for the CSET, and trying to look for free study material that reflects the content of the tests. After looking at the sample questions online, the sets on Quizlet weren’t helpful to me, as they gave simple definitions and concepts for the CSET when the questions appeared to be much harder. After a few seconds searching on Brainscape, I found a set where the flashcards were set up as multiple choice questions, a much better reflection of the content of the CSET. However, Brainscape does not have the learn feature that Quizlet has, which, even if it is a simple memorize and write interface, helps drill the concept into my brain better because it’s interactive. As an instructor, I can see using Brainscape more than Quizlet for learning, as I think it would be super easy to create a class and assign flashcards for students. However, I think this application would be more of a studying tool and cannot transform into the upper echelons of the SAMR framework. This is a technological study aid, and should be used outside of the classroom. It’s a building block for basic knowledge that can eventually segue into a higher understanding, but that segue cannot be made using this technology alone.

My overall opinion I believe it is great and it serves its purpose very well. I liked it especially because I used it when I was studying for a test. It made studying a little more easier and efficient. It will serve my kids well because I love the fact that we are getting rid of paper and join the tech world and doing it to our advantage. There are no complaints from me.

The tool seems to be mainly useful to aid memorization of concepts. As a creation tool, kids could use it to create their own flashcards for self-review or self-reflection on what they learned in a unit or lesson. It comes with Premium sets of flashcards. Some of those are very pricey, while other ones are free, but still very useful (e.g. keyboard shortcuts). In terms of Bloom's taxonomy, it doesn't seem to foster critical thinking. It rather fosters recalling of terms and concepts.

Brainscape can be valuable for students studying vocabulary-based subject areas in secondary and beyond settings. The drawback is that many of the content areas require in-app purchases. Other than that, I think this app can be very useful.

The product overall is a decent product. I am a huge advocate for free apps to use in the classroom and this is free. However, there are in-app purchases which can become costly. The design of the app is appealing and it is beneficial to the learner that they can access their flashcards among multiple platforms. Also, the mastery feature the tool includes can be helpful so students don't see the same flashcard over and over. Students had mixed opinions on ease of use. Using it myself with other colleagues we all agreed this would be a great tool for the high school and college level. As you get below high school, it can become more difficult for students to use, especially students who are not so familiar with technology. Students and I were shocked there weren't pre-made flashcards that dealt with grammar. We also saw SAT practice cards, but not ACT practice cards. Students and I felt there should be more options when it came to the free material offered by this app. Overall, the intent of the app is great, but I am not convinced it appeals to students below high school and it should have more options when it comes to how students study instead of just the flashcards themselves, especially if you are trying to appeal to elementary level students.