The Genius Dojo Lightning Cards is a game and study method that facilitates a type of active learning. This specific form of learning is creative, visual, engaging, and effective for learning and memorizing any subject matter. The creation and use of these cards develops the meta-learning skills of memory and creativity. The creation and use of these cards also engages the learner with the specific content of the cards, and that content is learned more efficiently.
Like conventional flash cards, the system employs cards with information to be recalled from a question or cue. But lightning cards differ from conventional flash cards. Lighting cards use an optimal form of visual-perceptual mnemonics in tandem with a spaced repetition recall scheme. Conventional flash cards tend to be overly reductionistic by trying to isolate one item per card. A more optimal structure of information is in clusters of related items, especially in sets of two to ten. Lightning cards tend to have multiple related items. The game variations can be engaged as a more solitary meta-learning training or study activity, or in group activities of co-creating.
The Lightning Cards is one of the 23 games of the Genius Dojo system. It actually integrates several of the games and techniques into one process of active learning.
These integrated meta-learning techniques promote:
—all integrated into a playful humorous form of memorization and learning.
A Lighting Card is a cluster of items that are interrelated to act as memory cues. It employs a specific variation of the “key-image method.” Each card is made up of clusters of text, labels, and spark sketches organized like a cluster diagram (mind-map). Spark-sketches are fast simple sketches, interspersed with text, that represent the key-words and key-images. The Lightning Cards and its slots facilitate a spaced repetition schedule. Each review is like a frequent low-stakes quiz. Each card is reviewed in a form of active learning where the material is test-recalled at progressively longer and longer intervals—for instance: daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly
The review system schedule is highly simplified and easy to make into a habit. The card is removed from the box at its designated review time. The cue-question is read from the back of the card, without looking at the answer side. The mnemonic is then recalled from memory and visualized, and then the target-information is also recalled and usually spoken out-loud. If the recall was correct, then the card is placed back one slot, (for less frequent review). If the recall was incorrect, then it goes forward one slot (for more frequent review).
This specific integration of mnemonic techniques significantly increases: the ability to recall, the accuracy of recall, speed in learning, and the longevity of learning. Even if the techniques are implemented incorrectly the system still acts as a form of active learning. This form of active learning increases engagement and recall. Implemented correctly, the system allows you to keep what you learn. The evidence is overwhelming that these techniques are extremely effective and there are many studies from cognitive science and educational research that supports this (see the notes).
The application of these principles is based on the “Five Beads” from the Genius Dojo system. This booklet details some of those principles and techniques. More detail is available in the book Genius Dojo: Games for practicing the Art of Memory, learning, and invention.
© 2023, David Baumbach, Genius Dojo ®, all rights reserved