For many years now, actors, newscasters, and politicians have used “cue cards” and teleprompters to remember what they want to say. For a child, teen, or adult who struggles to recall the steps to multiple-step tasks, a cue card can be an incredibly helpful tool.
What is a Cue Card?
A cue card is an index card, checklist, or other tool used to help recall each of the steps (in order) in complex multifaceted activities.
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In school, a cue card might list out the steps in for completing multiple-step computations like division, fractions, decimals.
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At home, a cue card might list out the steps for a child to clean her room.
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At work, a business person might use a cue card listing out all the steps required to proof-read and finalize a project or report.
Any multifaceted task that requires one to use working memory is a candidate for a cue card.
How a Cue Card Helps
Over the years, educators and educational researchers have found that students who struggle with working memory can learn multiple-step procedures faster when using a cue card as compared to trying to recall the needed information.
Cue cards can also help adults who struggle to recall multiple-step processes and procedures.
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A project manager can get her project completed on time and under budget if she has a template or cue card that lists out the steps required for the task.
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An Emergency Medical Technician can use a cue card to recall the calculations to determine how much medication an individual needs based on weight (I’d much rather the EMT helping me have a cue card than not have one…how about you?)
Cue cards not only help the individual who struggles with working memory, but they also help those who are in charge of them. For example, the student who uses a cue card for working with fractions and decimals is also less likely to ask, “What’s the next step?” as many times.
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You can download a STAR Strategy for Word Problems cue-card for your student.
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Additional examples of cue-cards can be found at James Madison University’s Learning Toolbox.
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You can make cue cards using reference materials, like the “Spark-Charts” sold at Barnes and Noble to make cue cards as your student is developing a specific skill.
Use of Cue Cards in School
The use of a cue card could be considered an “auxiliary aide” for a student who qualifies for accommodations.
In Texas, talk to your child’s principal to find out if a cue card could be used on the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness.
If your child in private school takes a standardized test each year, talk to her headmaster or principal to see if cue cards could be considered a “visual aide” or auxiliary aide under their accommodation guidelines.
Need Help Applying this Concept?
If you or your child’s educators need help applying this concept, contact us to make an appointment.
Also, ask about ways to improve memory in Student Success or our Memory Training Program.
(c) 2010-2019, Monte W. Davenport, Ph.D.
Photo courtesy of Microsoft
