If you use it for rote memorization, without grokking concepts deeply—then what you get is rote memorization. Think of memorizing capitals without learning anything else about states and nations.
But if you work hard to identify conceptual landmarks and add good questions to tie it all together (more like a high quality PowerPoint presentation), then it can be amazing and facilitate retention of rich intuitions for years. Think of memorizing major topographic landmarks on a map and a bit of history, so that you have something to relate capitals to in context.
Incidentally, rote-memorization cards are actually harder to review with Anki: the “glue” holding them in memory starts to fade after a month or so, so eventually the drift toward “ease hell” and otherwise become unpleasant to review.
Anki’s value depends a lot on how you use it.
If you use it for rote memorization, without grokking concepts deeply—then what you get is rote memorization. Think of memorizing capitals without learning anything else about states and nations.
But if you work hard to identify conceptual landmarks and add good questions to tie it all together (more like a high quality PowerPoint presentation), then it can be amazing and facilitate retention of rich intuitions for years. Think of memorizing major topographic landmarks on a map and a bit of history, so that you have something to relate capitals to in context.
Incidentally, rote-memorization cards are actually harder to review with Anki: the “glue” holding them in memory starts to fade after a month or so, so eventually the drift toward “ease hell” and otherwise become unpleasant to review.