Guideline to creation of flashcard sets (by qfreed, Quentin)
Instructions supplied by QUENTIN
We would like to point out that vocabulary lists are a public tool for learners of Spanish and English. To avoid making mistakes, please read these simple instructions.
Notice: Your flashcards will not work if you use quotation marks in the title. The program sees these as eliminators.
1) Make your list consistent throughout. When you develop a pattern use it throughout your list. If you are using the definite or indefinite article with nouns then use them with all nouns. If you use infinitives to represent verbs use them throughout. Don't conjugate some and not others unless you develop a recognizable pattern.
2) Avoid using synonyms that are translated with the same word. Don't create two flashcard that will present the same prompt in the Recall section. e.g. ; autobús=bus guagua=bus When the prompt bus appears..which word do you type?
3)Avoid superfluous punctuation. The computer (with exception of capital letters) matches your reply to the prompt. If not exactly the same you get an error. amigo/a is not the same as amigo(a) or amigo..a el/la is not the same as el / la después de.. is not the same as después de .. (extra space) or después de...(extra dot).
1.Recognize flash card size limits. Don't create prompts that are so long that the entire prompt does not display (idioms)
*2.* Be careful to properly place your words under the proper
``category `in your list (English or Spanish). If sometimes you would rather be prompted in the other language use the "flip" terms option in Flashcard Player or you will end up with the speaker in the Learn section speaking your English word as it were a Spanish word.
*3.* Recognize the constraints of using a voice synthesizer
`` to read the Flashcards. Realize that prompts like amigo(a), amigoa, el/la amigo(a) (hacer) él/ella/Vd. will not be pronounced correctly. amigo(a) is pronounced as one word. The voice software does not interpret your intention.
*4.* Keep in mind that your list may be "flipped"".
``Don't do thing like flag words or add comments thinking that it isn't going to be pronounced or written. When your list is "flipped" your translations become prompts. I saw one list that put an asterisk by the words she wanted to concentrate on. When the list was "flipped" you had to remember which words had the asterisk to do the Recall.
8.Avoid using phrases that cannot be recognized as questions or exclamations without hearing the phrase spoken. ¡Hola! on one card, Buenos Días. on another. Was that Hola. or ¡Buenos Días!'? Refer back to rule 1.
