Simple Analogies: Description, Application, Interpretation

Schooling involves the assimilation of a large volume of theoretical material and the application of the knowledge gained in practice. At the same time, the child needs maximum attention and the ability to think logically. Of course, these qualities are formed and improved gradually. But before the training begins, educators need to assess the already existing level of their development, so as to result in a certain correction. Today, one of the most accurate, fastest and most objective ways of diagnosing the thinking of junior schoolchildren is the "Simple analogies" technique.

about the author

In the middle of the last century, the American psychologist William Gordon proposed the creation of analogies as a way of developing creative thinking. The test was developed for adults. However, his diagnostic accuracy was so popular with educators and psychologists that they decided to adapt the methodology for children. Joint efforts of specialists from several countries greatly simplified the test, making significant qualitative changes.

Currently, the Russian schools are actively using the methodology "Simple analogies." The author of it is unequivocally not named. However, domestic teachers follow the technique of performing the test, described in detail in the textbook on age psychology for universities I.Yu. Kulagina and V.N. Kalyutsky.

Purpose of the methodology

Diagnosis of thinking of younger students has several orientations:

• Check how quickly and accurately a child is able to establish a cause-effect relationship between objects.
• Assess its critical perception of information and the level of associative connections.
• Set the degree of workability of the child in the new material.
• Assess the stability, concentration, distribution and switching of attention.

An important goal pursued by the "Simple analogies" technique is the installation of a dominant type of thinking, or conceptual links between objects that a child uses to solve problems. This can be a reliance on external similarity (visual thinking) or inference from the essence of the concept (logical thinking).

Description

Classically, this test is presented on a printed blank with 32 points. Each position includes two words that have a certain logical connection with each other. This pair acts as a pattern. Nearby is given one more word, to which, according to an example, it is necessary to choose an association by analogy. The process of selection comes from the auxiliary words given below. In this case, the logical connection must be justified by the very analogy given in the sample.

For example: the sun is a panama, the rain is ...?

From the words "water", "cold", "puddles", "umbrella" has a lasting word with a strong logical connection. Since the analogy here is "protection". The man from the sun is protected by a panama, from the rain by an umbrella.

The "Simple analogies" method for junior schoolchildren can be conducted individually or in a group. In group testing, children are put one at a time, thus preventing copying from a neighbor.

In terms of time, there are also two options: with a restriction (two to three minutes per question) and without it. The teacher can establish the time frame only with reference to the child's mental and physiological characteristics.

Instructions

The "Simple Analogy" technique has a clear instruction for testing and involves four steps:

• Preparation. First, the teacher needs to place on the board two signal samples. Assignments are similar to those in forms, but not similar. Then the children are handed out forms with a comment about each person's signature (last name, first name).
• Training. Now the attention of the children switches to the board and the task is explained. First, the children try to select the association verbally.
• Run the test. After the teacher's farewell to careful reading of the sample in the form, the children proceed to the written execution. To clarify the task, you can jointly disassemble the first position. For example: "bear is a bear cub". The teacher should emphasize that we are talking about animals and their babies. Hence, the association to the word "horse" according to this analogy will be "foal."
• Calculation of results. At this stage, the forms are collected and checked. The work is evaluated in accordance with the recommended test criteria.

To the important moments of carrying out it is possible to carry an explanation of the teacher of how correctly to fill in the form. Put a tick opposite the correct answer or emphasize it. It is necessary that the child does not get confused and does not lose time for the decision.

If there is a slow baby in the group, then the teacher should approach him more often during the test, but only to encourage or clarify the question, and not help to answer correctly.

Interpretation

A significant advantage is the precise, fast calculations that the Simple Analogies technique gives. Its interpretation in the quantitative version looks like this:

• At 31-32 points, the child's logical thinking is highly developed;
• At 25-30 points the quality of thinking is assessed well, but it is necessary to work on the stability of attention;
• At 15-24 points the logic and attention of the child need regular training;
• At 5-14 points you can talk about daily classes on developing skills.

At low rates, correction of attention and logical thinking is mandatory. Such activities will help the child in further education, significantly raising the level of his development.

Complex analogies

For children who have received the maximum score, a test can be conducted on complex analogies. The principle of establishing communication remains the same, only the system for completing tasks becomes more complicated. Now the child should distribute types of analogies in groups. Selection of associations is not required.

The "Simple and Complex Analogy" methodology is the most effective and fastest way to test the development of logical thinking and attention among schoolchildren in order to provide a quality educational process.