Flashcards, part 2.

Which, is not the same as, "Bronchitis, part 2" that appears to be happening in the youngest. I guess I should be thankful for a few day reprieve huh?

OK. School work related.

I had been hunting for a flash card app for, well, months. I ended up compromising on one of my requirements - a Mac Desktop Application - because of price. However, I'm not dissatisfied at all - quite the opposite!

I ended up choosing Flashcards Deluxe by OrangeOrApple.com, and resigned myself to using online upload. I create text files in Text Edit (because it copies and pastes nicely into the upload, aka, it's easy!) on my Mac. You can have 3 sides and a category on your cards. You can also use codes to get various types of formatting - bold, italics, color, and more! Pictures and sounds are also able to be added. You can add those during the upload, or directly from the card on the iPhone or Touch. I have yet to be able to do sounds because I am having a microphone issue - as in, I don't have one that works on anything. I have done pictures though - via a zipped upload on the web!

My cards so far have covered a variety of types. The new ones I just created are one-sided. These are for me to not have to carry a stack of papers to drill a child with her Language Therapy. Anything to cut down on the paper I have to carry works for me. But I do have 2 sided and even 3 sided cards. The 3 sided contains: "item name", "item picture" and "name and picture" together. The kid those are for is happy with the way they turned out.

I did a few screen shots for this entry today - if you want to see more, just let me know. Ernie has some on his website too. I just take this moment to add - Ernie ROCKS in the customer service department. Go see how quick he is to address about every entry on his Feedback Forum. That is another reason I'm not regretting not getting everything I had on my list, I got Ernie and customer service is number 1!

Today's Text file:

word || word - the || means to double space the items on the card

After typing the list, I copied and pasted it into the online area on the website (you can do this from your computer too - I've done that, but hey, this IS easier!). And yes, this picture has a typo that I fixed and reloaded them (in the Deck Name).

After they have uploaded, you touch the + button in the App to download them to your computer (obviously, you need to be on wifi or have a data connection). If you have pictures or sounds to add - you upload them right after this. It will prompt you for them, and tell you what files you still need to add. THis makes sense when you do it - i'll try to get to some cards with them again to show you another time.

Huh, I now have that picture stuck on the side. Guess I'll keep typing and add pictures to the end - maybe i'll be able to fix the formatting later :D (on that note, does anyone know why blogger adds pictures to the top of the post in Safari Mac? It drives me crazy).

So, after you touch the +, you then reach a spot to enter the "Deck Code" - which is a name YOU pick for the upload. I write in on the paper i'm typing from, AND name my file that on the computer.

You don't have to enter the "Deck Name" - if you entered one on the upload, it will auto-fill it for you.

After this, you are good to go use the cards! There are options to set if you would like - in this case, I drill them all in random order, and do the ones we get correct. In case you are wondering, my daughter has Auditory Processing Disorder and struggles greatly to hear the difference between i and e in words. Makes reading so much fun at times!

The card looks like this:

And then you are set to go! Hopefully that helps you in the flashcard area. There are a TON of options out there, and everyone has different needs. I'd still love to have multiple choice - but these are perfect for now.

Currently priced at $3.99 - but falls into the "priceless" category for ditching the clipboard of drill work I had with me for a few days.

Flashcards Deluxe in the App Store