Consistently Evaluating Sketching Ability in Engineering Curriculum

DS 86: Proceedings of The Fourth International Conference on Design Creativity,Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA

Year: 2016
Editor: Julie Linsey, Maria Yang, and Yukari Nagai
Author: Ethan, Hilton; Blake, Willifor; Wayne, Li; Erin, McTigue; Tracy, Hammond; Julie, Linsey
Series: ICDC
ISBN: 978-1-904670-82-7

Abstract

Numerous studies have found sketching to be a useful skill for engineers. Sketching has been found to improve spatial visualization skills and help increase creativity in the design process. Therefore, in recent semesters, there has been a push to further develop the sketching instruction at Georgia Tech. This development has included introducing different methods of sketching, such as perspective sketching, and introducing new tools, such as sketch-based online tutoring applications. However, a consistent, trusted method to accurately evaluate students’ sketching ability does not yet exist. This study outlines the first steps taken to create a rubric that can be used to create consistent evaluations of students’ sketching abilities. A reliable and valid rubric will allow for evaluation of different methods of sketching education as well as to help to determine the links between sketching ability and other skills such as design reasoning, creativity in idea generation, and self-efficacy.

Keywords: Sketching, evaluation metric, assessment development