The technique of spaced repetition is one of the more scientific ways to remember something. Many flashcard tools and apps have arrived to help us use repetition as a learning tool even as information overload batters our memory.

The free flashcard software we talk about today uses another tool we all are familiar with: Microsoft PowerPoint.

How to Convert PowerPoint Slides to Flashcards

OpenCards

PowerPoint slides can be an incredible resource for knowledge. But once the presentation is over, we tend to quickly forget what it was all about. OpenCards is a free flashcard learning software that uses Powerpoint to build your flashcard decks. Here's how:

  1. OpenCards runs on Windows, Mac, and Linux. Download the latest version and install.
  2. Create PPT slides on any operating system. You don't need Microsoft PowerPoint as you can save or export files as PPT with free Office suites as well.
  3. When you prepare your slides, slide titles are treated questions and the slide contents as their answers.
  4. Save the presentation as a PPT file.
  5. Launch OpenCards and import the PPT file into the software. You can also drag and drop the file or right-click on an appropriate category and then select Add card-set.
  6. Click on Start Learning to begin your flashcard session.

Key features of OpenCards:

  • It is a free and clean Open Source software.
  • The interface has a file manager that allows you to organize your flashcard files into categories.
  • An intelligent learning algorithm helps you review the cards and learn with the help of spaced repetition.
  • Supports all PowerPoint slides with tables, charts, formulas, Unicode, images and much more for your flashcards.
  • Implements two learning modes---a long-term memorization mode with spaced repetition and a last-minute mode for quick study.
  • Schedule and progress graphs give you visual feedback on your learning achievements.
  • It also supports markdown files as flashcard sets.
  • Import new flashcards from CSV-files.

You can customize the way you learn by going into the software's Preferences. OpenCards doesn't have the fancier features of other flashcard alternatives like Anki, but it is one of the few tools that allows you to turn any PowerPoint slide into a learning project.

Download: OpenCards (Free)