- Educational Purposes
Rubik’s cube has a magnificent shape that makes it possible to view its six sides in a simple rotation. It is very simple to use, just like a dice. The cube has different colors that make it interesting to use by students. In the field of Education, this cube serves various objectives. On e of such objectives was to establish the risk factors of school leaving. It was also meant to enhance reflection, ease class discussions and find solutions. Lastly, it was meant catch the students’ attention and help them share ideas (Rose, 2010).
Rubik’s Cube in Primary Schools
The Rubik’s cube was introduced in schools about thirty years ago. It was originally made for secondary school students. However, kids as young as twelve years started to join the secondary schools and this trend increased with time. It was then that the adaptation of the Rubik’s cube in primary schools was thought. Today, the cube is more common in primary schools than in secondary schools. The children are always very curious. The Rubik’s cube arouses that curiosity in the kids. This curiosity has enhanced the interests of the pupils to continue with their learning. In New York, primary schools have introduced the use of Rubik’s cube in the teaching of Mathematics. This cube has helped the pupils in solving mathematical problems such geometry and algebra. This cube comes with a guide that facilitates its learning aid.
The Rubik’s cube is easy to use and understand; the quality that makes it likable by the primary pupils. To start using the cube, one can either throw it as a dice and do a reading on the top side of it. The other way is by reading sentence or looking at an image, scan the code, watch the video and finally start the activity stated.
Assisting weak Students
The Rubik’s cube was also used in the welcoming days, in lower secondary school. This was categorically intended for the students who failed in their first year. The teacher would do the activity dictated by the sentence on the Rubik’s cube. He would then imagine a solution with the student.
- Entertainment Purpose
The original purpose of the Rubik’s cube was education (Oliver, 2006). However, due to its popularity that has been enhanced by the shape and color, many people now use the cube for leisure. The small cubes which are finely arranged on the six sides and the different colors that range from red to green make the cube appealing and interesting.
Rubik’s Cube as a Computer Game
With the emergence of modern technology, the Rubik’s cube can now be easily found as computer and phone application. Most Android phones have very exciting games that always keep the user busy and entertained. Rubik’s cube is one of the leading games in both computers and mobile phones. With simple game instructions and the iconographic image of a Rubik’s cube, this mathematical game has taken over the modern elite society.
There are several computer applications that enable the users to solve the Rubik’s cube. These applications have shifted the minds of many young peoples from the manual cube to the virtual Rubik’s cube. Most people now prefer the virtual application of the cube that has brought the experience of the Rubik solution to the urban space. This technology has transformed the manual cube into a giant 3D cube that has attracted many to this mind cracking game. The player can now freely interact with this uniquely designed interface cube that bears electronic components to enhance its rotation and orientation. The colors of the cube have also been greatly improved to satisfy the taste of many young adolescents. Despite its 3D nature, the player can only see two sides of the cube at a time. This orientation has served to maintain the difficulty of the Rubik’s cube hence no meaning of the game has been lost.
Rubik’s Cube as a Toy
Today, like most children of the early 80s, kids have are slowly adapting the Rubik’s cube as toys. In small groups, the children try to solve the complex Rubik’s cube. This is becoming the order of the day. Instead driving those toy cars, the children are now resolving to the cube as a new special game for them.
Rubik’s Cube as a Competition
In colleges and high schools, Rubik’s cube has been listed among the indoor games. Students compete in solving Rubik’s cube. As they compete, others would come to watch and get entertained. According to Walter and Born (2012), the focus is now shifting from the common indoor games such as the Chess and Draught. Soon, the Rubik’s cube shall be among the Olympic Games.
References
Oliver, T. (2006). Rubik’s Cube: Puzzle Façade. New York
Rose, D. (2010). Fun Mathematics: Enhancing Learning with Rubik’s Cube. 30. California
Walter, R. & Born, T. (2012). Indoor Games in the 21st Century. McGraw. Boston
