Analysis of “Drawing as Visual-Perceptual and Spatial Ability Training”
Summary:
“The suggested implication is that all students have drawing and spatial potential that may be developed through art education in general, and through drawing experiences in particular.”
Some believe that the skill of drawing is “important to the total development of a child.” (Dr. Edwards has expressed the same sentiment).
Claims that art education, in the earlier 20th century, was part of the “practical needs of life (craft oriented)” and helped with development of hand-eye coordination and mechanical skills. This was replaced by a belief that art was more for enrichment, thus art teachers became baby-sitters encouraging self-expression and not instructors, which led to the misnomer of artists being the select few given some innate ability.
Apparently there are many tests for scoring children from one-to-five on their ability to draw, particularly Clark’s Drawing Abilities Test.
Another test is the Test of Visual-Perception Skills (TVPS), which is used to “evalutated mental capabilities related to spatial ability.” It is discussed, but does not appear to be revisited elsewhere in the text. It is described as “an easy-to-use assessment to determine a child’s visual perceptual strengths and weaknesses. Visual perception is an important ability that enables one to make sense out of what is seen (in contrast to visual acuity tests that determine just that something was seen by the individual).”
States how spatial ability is used in lots of tasks, fields, and professions (mathematics, technical drawing, woodwork, engineering, interior design, and of course drawing). Made claims to a tie between spatial ability and intelligence. Could drawing be a way to increase intelligence? is their question.
“Since it has already been established that visual-perceptual skills can be trained and that they are synonymous with spatial skills by definition, it follows that each would benefit from the same training. Learning to draw may be one of these common areas.”
“Visual perception is learned.” (pg 6)
“Drawing, as an output of visual perception, enables the conversion of abstract visualization to concrete product.” (pg 6)
“Perceptual skill development is also recognized as a necessary skill in mental development.” (pg 6)
“Training in visual literacy/communication through visual-perception and drawing training may enhance the effectiveness of the use of [computers] whether it be developer or user.” (pg 6)
“Drawing training, because of its relationship with visual literacy and other cognitive areas, is essential to the total educational development of a child and has particular significance with respect to the ever-advancing communication technologies.” (pg 7)
Discussion:
These resources say it possible to find out how a person is perceiving something. They also say drawing helps improve spatial abilities which ties heavily to many of the areas of work, disciple, and intelligence.
I intend to research more into the CDAT for a way to computational calculate its metrics.
While my intent for reading this paper was to find work that was counter to that of Dr. Edwards, it did lead to many great resources and provide validity to the purpose of this application.
On a reread, the summary and conclusion section is quite good.
How does this relate to my drawing application? It affirms that the goal is helping the user “see” or visually perceive what is in front of him.