Oh I'm not dismissing flashcards as not a worthwhile endeavor, quite the opposite. Check out the other comment I made in this thread (or through my profile) on different modes of engagement. If anything, I believe we DON'T do enough of this lower level practice in western education anymore because its not promote critical thinking (as much as other methods). My argument is that if you are struggling in those other methods, you should absolute do these types of lower-level practices.