Using "Crib Cards" on Exams: Doubling their Value Very recently, there have heen twc, proposals on allowing use of small "crih cards" for exams in high srhool physics' a n d physical chemistry.' Ruth ernphasiae its chief value t o the student, namely that helshe must first review, organize, sekct, and condense material t o make effective use of the small card (as well as noting its psychological value, eLc.1. F'or nearly a decade, I have permitted similar use uf an IRM computer card for general and phgsi&lchemistry courses, but in a way that capitalizes still further on its principal value. I t is permitted only once,when it is most needed and most appreciated, for t h e final exam. T h e students, pleasantly surprised, are required t o hand it in early (with their last problem set, about two weeks before t h e final). 1 then paste their card t o the top sheets of their exams. T h e central benefit of doing it this way is that the students end u p reviewing le'irr. Secure in t h e knowledge that equations, etc.. arealready taken care of,they study the second time in a more organized and better focused way. Sometime ailer their cards are collected, we discuss my reasons far permitting their use. Many helievr it is to reduce their load a n d concern when the" have five finals so c k m toeether. When someone finally states mv main reawn (getting
work expended preparing the cards earlier is more than repaid later. Even though the cards have value beyond that of a cue, there are good reasons for not using them for all exams. They a r e obviously least necessary as memory aids early in the course. More t o the point. I believe t h e underlying logic and relationships among topics are more likely to he appreciated only if some basic facts and definitions are, in fact, learned. Therefore, it is particularly crucial, 1 feel, that this technique, however useful, not be used in t h e beginning, when the fundamentals are covered.
' Williams. W., Phyr. Teorher, 18,461 i 1980).
* Whitmer, .I. C., .I. CHEM.EDIIC..fiU, 85 (1983).
A. H. Kalantar University of Alberta Edmonton. Canada T6G 2G2
1058
Journal of Chemical Education
