> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.chimeedu.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Create Flash Card Decks Using SM-2 Spaced Repetition

> Build spaced-repetition flash card decks on ChimeEdu. Students study with flip, type, and multiple-choice modes at their own pace.

Flash Cards use spaced repetition — powered by the SM-2 algorithm — to help students build durable, long-term memory. You build the deck once; ChimeEdu handles the science of when each card should reappear. Difficult cards come back sooner, mastered ones less often, so every study session is personalised without any extra work from you or your students.

## How Flash Cards work

Spaced repetition schedules each card based on how well a student knows it. After every review, ChimeEdu records the student's response and adjusts the next review interval accordingly. A card the student answered confidently might not reappear for several days; one they struggled with could come back in the same session. Over time, this pattern drives cards from short-term recall into long-term memory — the same principle behind decades of learning science research.

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Difficult cards" icon="arrow-up">
    Cards a student finds hard are scheduled for review sooner, giving them more chances to practise before the next lesson.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Mastered cards" icon="check">
    Cards a student knows confidently are shown less often, so study time is spent where it's most needed.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Study modes available to students

Students can switch freely between three study modes depending on how they want to practise. You don't need to configure anything — all three modes are available for every deck you publish.

<CardGroup cols={3}>
  <Card title="Flip mode" icon="rotate">
    Students see the term and flip the card to reveal the definition. Quick, low-friction recall practice.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Type the answer" icon="keyboard">
    Students type the definition before the card flips. Ideal for spelling practice and precise vocabulary recall.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Multiple choice" icon="list-check">
    Students choose the correct definition from a set of options. Great for guided revision and building confidence.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Creating a Flash Card deck

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open New Activity">
    From your classroom dashboard, click **New Activity** and select **Flash Cards** from the activity type list.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add your cards">
    Click **Add Card** for each item in your deck. Every card has a **Term** field and a **Definition** field. Add as many cards as your deck requires.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add images (optional)">
    On any card, click the image icon to attach a photo or illustration. Images appear on the front or back of the card depending on where you add them.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Apply rich text formatting">
    Use the formatting toolbar to add bold, italic, subscript, or superscript text to any term or definition. Useful for scientific notation, mathematical expressions, or emphasising key vocabulary.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Publish to your classroom">
    When your deck is ready, click **Publish**. The deck appears immediately in every enrolled student's activity list — no link sharing required.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Progress tracking

Students always know where they stand with a deck. ChimeEdu automatically categorises every card into one of three states, updated in real time as students study:

| Status          | What it means                                                               |
| --------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Mastered**    | The student answered confidently across multiple review sessions.           |
| **In progress** | The student has reviewed the card but hasn't yet hit the mastery threshold. |
| **New**         | The card hasn't been reviewed yet in this session sequence.                 |

Progress saves automatically and syncs across devices. A student who studies ten cards on their phone can continue from where they left off on a laptop without any manual sync step.

## Classroom sharing

When you publish a Flash Card deck to a classroom, it appears instantly in the activity list for every enrolled student. You don't need to share a link or send a message — students just open ChimeEdu and the deck is waiting for them. Any updates you make to the deck after publishing are reflected immediately.

<Tip>
  Flash Cards are available any time from any device with a browser. Remind students they can review a deck on their phone during lunch or the night before a test — no app install needed.
</Tip>

<Note>
  Creating and publishing Flash Card decks requires a teacher account. Students need a ChimeEdu account to have their progress saved and synced across devices. Students without accounts can still view a deck but their progress will not be recorded.
</Note>


## Related topics

- [How to Use ChimeEdu Timelines and Flash Card Decks](/students/timelines-and-flash-cards.md)
- [ChimeEdu Student FAQs — Quizzes, Accounts & Progress](/help/faq-students.md)
- [ChimeEdu Changelog — Latest Updates and New Features](/help/changelog.md)
- [Getting Started on ChimeEdu: Complete Student Guide](/students/introduction.md)
- [ChimeEdu Activities and Quiz Troubleshooting Guide](/help/activities-and-quizzes.md)