rubrikblock

Rubrikblock is a modular object designed to encode and display the elements of a rubric or assessment criteria in a physical form. Each block carries a discrete criterion or performance descriptor that can be combined with other blocks to form a complete rubric. The concept emphasizes tactile interaction and visual mapping of criteria, enabling quick reconfiguration of scoring schemes.

Typically produced as a cube about 2 to 3 centimeters per side, rubrikblocks are made from durable polymer or recycled materials. Faces can be color-coded and may feature icons, text, or QR codes for digital linkage. Some designs include magnets or interlocking edges so blocks can be snapped together to form grids that mirror weighting and alignment of criteria.

Variants include standard color blocks, magnetic blocks for classroom walls, transparent blocks for overlaying notes, and digital versions that pair with online rubrics via RFID or QR codes. Digital rubrikblocks can automatically map to rubric templates and provide analytics on alignment between performance and criteria.

Applications are mainly in education and training, where rubrikblocks assist students and instructors in planning, peer review, and performance assessment. They can also function in project management or quality control to visualize criteria and thresholds.

Rubrikblock emerged as a niche concept in educational technology discussions in the early 2020s, credited to collaborative design efforts exploring tactile learning tools. While proponents emphasize clarity and flexibility, critics note potential oversimplification of complex rubrics and higher production costs compared with digital-only systems.

See also: Rubric, Assessment, Educational tools, Tactile learning devices.