What are repetitions for?
If you want to learn with Deckumi, it is helpful to know the most important assumption behind the method, which is: any knowledge will be forgotten if it is not regularly revised. This principle also applies to knowledge that we are not even aware of.
The names of the objects around us (car, apple, sun) or activities (eating, sitting) we had to learn as children were not given to us from the very beginning of our lives. We had to learn all these words, their sounds and meanings. Due to the fact that we use them practically every day, we refresh the traces of memory in our brains. On the other hand, knowledge that we do not use on a daily basis becomes blurred. Do you recall immediately the abbreviated multiplication formulas, or the names of all the rivers in Europe which you probably learnt in primary school? It would certainly take a while, if you could recall them at all.
The same applies to languages: words and constructions become less familiar if you do not use them in speaking, writing, reading or listening. Living in the target language environment provides contact, but that is not practical for everyone. Use Deckumi to make your own cards for useful vocabulary and expressions, recall a small selection each day and use them again in sentences and real communication.
When and how to repeat
An important question in memory and forgetting research is when to review so that study time is used well. Reviewing too early may repeat material that is already familiar, while waiting too long may leave it inaccessible. When choosing a review tool today, consider an open-source spaced repetition algorithm such as FSRS to use previous review performance to schedule appropriate intervals and prioritize material needing reinforcement. A tool can reduce the burden of deciding what and when to review, but it still requires honest recall ratings and regular study.
Review should involve an attempt to recall, rather than simply seeing the material again. Reading and watching films provide useful exposure, but speaking also requires finding words and constructions without prompts. In Deckumi, read the question, answer for yourself and only then reveal the answer to turn passive familiarity into active practice.
Deckumi question-and-answer flashcards ask you to recall before revealing the answer. Use a word meaning, rule or missing part of a sentence as the prompt, rather than reading the answer without attempting it.
Where should I enter my answer? – how to learn Deckumi
When creating a Deckumi flashcard, put a vocabulary prompt, sentence completion or concept question on the front and the reference answer on the back. Answer mentally or aloud before revealing the answer. Speaking your answer is particularly useful for language practice:
- First of all, you speak a foreign language straight away and this is the most important skill you want to learn.
- Moreover, you practice in casual conditions, where you can allow yourself to repeat a new word many times without embarrassment that someone will hear your pronunciation, which may still be far from perfect.
- Answering verbally takes much less than writing an answer, which saves you time.
Turn easily forgotten words and example sentences into Deckumi flashcards. Say your answer aloud, then check the reference answer on the back. For pronunciation, also listen to a reliable recording and imitate it; flashcard ratings depend on your own judgment.
Organizing new and previously learned vocabulary
In Deckumi, organize new vocabulary alongside words you have learned but can no longer recall easily. Start with a small group of cards rather than introducing a large amount at once.
For a previously learned word that has become less familiar, attempt recall before checking its meaning and examples. Remembering it once does not establish long-term mastery; check again at different times and use it in real expression.
For a new word, understand its meaning, common combinations and examples before making a card. The first encounter is learning; later attempts with the answer hidden test your memory. Put useful explanations in the answer or card notes instead of crowding the question with everything at once.
Why doesn’t the system grade me?
You check and rate your own flashcards in Deckumi. Attempt an answer before revealing it, then check whether you recalled the essential meaning. Recognizing a familiar-looking answer is not the same as recalling it.
After revealing the answer, choose “Let’s try again”, “Getting there” or “Got it!” according to your actual recall. Acknowledge missing answers; if you recall only part, check whether the question needs splitting or clearer conditions. These ratings record your progress and do not currently generate an automatic FSRS review schedule.
If your wording differs from the reference, check whether the meaning is equivalent. Concept explanations need not always be recited word for word; laws, formulas and exam requirements may require precise conditions. Edit cards that are incorrect or unclear.
How can you achieve satisfactory learning results? Choosing a review tool that supports the open-source FSRS algorithm is only one step. Fit reviews into your available time, rate your actual recall honestly, and review regularly. As you learn your review rhythm, choose a schedule you can sustain.