Quick Evaluation Cube
Introduction
In this paper, we would like to present a new invention for evaluating students. This instrument is a quick evaluation cube (QES). We will show the advantages of this innovative method of assessment. Besides, some drawbacks will be discussed. Also, we will dwell upon the problems that teacher can solve with the help of this invention and the way in which the cube can be used and involved in the process of evaluation.
Reasons for creating QEC
Quick Evaluation Cube is an innovative means of evaluation that can help teachers to make the process of receiving feedback from the students a lot quicker. Also, it helps to see the level of understanding given in class information. It is known that in a classroom it is really hard to get a clear answer asking student orally. Students always get distracted and other students can easily prompt the right answer. By the way questioning, every single student takes the majority of time during the lesson. As well as written tests which take not so much time but make a teacher spend his own non-working time to check the given feedback. Also, written tests do not always contain fair answers. While writing a test a student can easily cheat. It is a common practice of students to peep in the neighbor’s test. In order to avoid distraction and further injustice the idea of creating QEC appeared.
Shape of QEC
The cube is made of a sponge. It is a solid box-shaped object which has six identical square sides. A bottom and a surface remain blank. On the other four sides of the cube, there are letters inside a certain relief of different geometrical figures. These letters and geometrical figures were made in order to help a student to make their choice really quick sometimes even without looking at the cube itself. Also, every side is painted with a different color. There are such kinds of sides:
- The first one is orange with a rectangular and a letter A inside of it.
- The second one is yellow with a square and a letter B inside of it.
- The third is green with a circle and a letter C inside of it.
- The fourth side has a triangle with a letter D.
The peculiar construction of the cube enables students to give a teacher the answer on the question with a multiple choice. As well as the shape of the cube give the opportunity to do this quick because when using the cube often children will get used to it and will remember the shape of every letter.
Usage of QEC
Before using the cube a teacher should get his or her students acquainted with it. A teacher is to show and explain how to use the cube, how they should put it in their arms, and how they should show their answers in order to avoid confusion.
There are different ways to use the cube. One of the ways is the following. A teacher can ask a student, as well as, a group of students, or a whole class, multiple choice questions. They are to give an answer in 5 or 10 seconds, the quicker the better, using the cube. They can do it in different ways (the ways should be discussed with the students previously). The first one is simply to put the cube on the one side of the desk with the answer directed to the teacher. The second method is to hold the cube in hand in the way a teacher can see the answer. Finally, a teacher can ask to raise cubes simultaneously, as well as, one by one, in order to have time to see the answers. It is important to ask students to make a decision inside the desk because other students can easily see the answers of their neighbors. Also, students are not allowed to move their heads side to side because f the same reason.
Problems that can be solved with the help of QEC
The main reason for creating this cube was saving the time of teachers. That is why the first problem concerns timesaving. It is known that evaluation of students’ knowledge is a tough process that takes a lot of time and effort. Firstly, it is hard to get feedback from every single student without writing tests or open answers to the question. Such kind of assessment makes a teacher sit and check tons of works. And as it was already mentioned a teacher cannot be sure that a student wrote it without any additional help.
The second problem concerns cheating avoiding. With the help of the cube, a teacher can evaluate real knowledge. When using the cube a student is strictly limited in time which disables him or her of cheating.
The third reason to use the cube is that it enables the students with disadvantages to participate in the process of checking learned material. The form of the cube permits even blind children to use it.
Next reason is motivation. As we’ve mentioned, when using a cube students are strictly limited in time due to this they will prepare harder. They’ll know that there won’t be any time to recollecting information.
Finally, the cube method will show the teacher weak point of the particular students. And due to the results of interrogation he or she will see who needs additional tasks or time to cover the material.
Disadvantages
Of course, it will be useful to provide some disadvantages in order to help teachers to avoid while using the cube. Firstly, the cube is not suitable for every student. A teacher should know the way his or her students works. There definitely will be some really slow students that won’t be able to use the cube in 5-10 seconds time. They will need more time to understand the question and to give an answer. By the way, it can cause disaffection of the other students. Secondly, it limits teacher’s possibilities in using various kinds of checking exercises. Only multiple choice exercises are suitable for this method. Thirdly, the cube disables the student to change his answer. When writing test students are able to give the answers in any order. They can skip some questions and do them later when they recollect some information. The cube asks to give a quick and immediate answer. Finally, it won’t help to reduce cheating completely. In either way, students will be able to see the answers of the other students easily. Still, it depends on a teacher and his possibility of persuading students not to cheat.
In a nutshell, Quick Evaluation Cube is a good way out for those teachers who experience a complete lack of time. It will enable them to check adapted knowledge quickly and precisely. Also, the cube is a real way out for those teachers who work with disabled children. With the help of the cube, they will solve the problem of evaluating. Weighing the pros and cons it is clear that Quick Evaluation Cube is a good method to assess the student and check the progress of the class and encourage students to study hard in order to perform in a good way. During a constant using of the cube, students will get used to it and will definitely like such a way of evaluation.
