Principles and Techniques of Veterinary and AH Extension

EXERCISE-8: PREPARATION AND USE OF FLASH CARDS, FLIP CHARTS AND FLANNEL BOARD

Flash cards

• They are series of illustrated cards which when flashed or presented before a group in proper sequence tell a complete story. Since it is flashed before the audience it is called as flash cards.
• Example for Flash Card:

Aim

• To hold the attention to a single point at a time. To tell or inform about one theme through a stepwise story for action.

Principle

• By presenting a systematic set of flash cards the steps in a method demonstration on important animal husbandry practices can be drilled into the minds so that they may not be forgotten. The group easily recognizes the pictorial contents presented in a series.

Communication characteristics of flash cards

• Sequence: Different steps in a topic can be shown in a sequence.
• Suspense: When we show the first card with some idea in sequence, suspense is created and the learners eagerly wait to know what will happen next.
• Story telling: Using flash card is like telling a story, which creates interest among the learners.

Materials required

• Paper pulp board or any thick material,
• Pencil,
• Eraser and
• Ink.

Size and number of flash cards

• The size of flash cards should be such that the group can see but small enough to handle conveniently. For a group of 30 people use flash cards of 15” x 20” and for a group of 15 people use flash cards of 10“ x 12”.
• The number of flash cards should not exceed 12 per topic. Flash cards should not be used with large gatherings exceeding thirty.

Rules for preparation of flash cards

• Know your audience. Try to know the background, interest and problems of the audience to whom you are going to convey some idea through flash cards.
• Choose your subject matter very carefully with clear objectives and these are basic to any presentation.
• Pick up the main points and write down all the important points, which seem good for disseminating to the audience. Now sort out the essential points from these points.
• Draw a picture for each point make simple drawings and have one idea for each card. Do not crowd with more pictures. Too many illustrations should be avoided, further they should be adapted to local conditions.
• Make the illustrations big.
• Use contrast colours for making the presentation attractive.
• Write notes for the presentation. Notes on the back of the cards should be written in the right hand corner on the backside. For the first card the points should be written on the last card and for the second the points should be written on back of the first card and so on.
• Cards should be serially numbered on the top of the backside.