https://doi.org/10.22364/htqe.2023.45 | 563-577 | PDF

Sketching for Value-Embedded Learning

Māra Urdziņa-Deruma, Austra Avotiņa, Inguna Karlsone, Austra Celmiņa-Ķeirāne
University of Latvia, Latvia

Abstract. Sketching as a graphic record of the results of thinking is essential as a design presentation and can help develop design thinking and behaviour, creativity, problem-solving and communication skills. The aim of this study is to find the learning approach in which sketching can become a self-determined value for students. The data were collected through focus group interviews (n = 12) and a survey (n = 55) from three undergraduate programmes. The focus group interview results were analysed using the content analysis method. It was concluded that the lack of experience and skills, the limited time available for learning and the student’s desire to demonstrate perfect results in their coursework hindered their interest in learning to sketch. In order to make sketching more successful, it is essential to explain the importance and purpose of sketching. Assignments related to students’ future professional activity are recommended. Using methods that create a sense of freedom, including play, is also recommended. It is necessary to suggest and use different materials suitable for sketching, encourage the study of artists’ sketches and give regular assignments to promote interest in sketching. Regularly completing sketchbooks (portfolios), quick sketching exercises and balancing free and given assignments are required to make sketching a self-determined value for students.

Keywords: artistic activity, designer education, sketching in teaching, sketching materials, teacher education, understanding sketching, value-embedded learning

This work was supported by the University of Latvia under grant no. ZD2010/AZ22, research project “Human, technologies and quality of education”.

Māra Urdziņa-Deruma – Dr. paed., associate professor at the University of Latvia Faculty of Education, Psychology and Art (FEPA).
Scientific interests: textile education, design and technologies education, arts pedagogy.
She developed and taught courses in design and technologies and its teaching methodologies, and art pedagogy in various teacher education programmes of bachelor, first and second-level teacher education programmes. Since 1996, she organised National Olympiads (total of 8) and Open Olympiads (total of 16) in home economics and design and technologies.

Austra Celmiņa-Ķeirāne – Dr. philol., Mg. art., assistant professor at the University of Latvia FEPA.
She has been working at the University of Latvia since 2008. Since 2016, she has been the director of the study program “Art”, but since 2020 – the head of the study field “Arts” of the UL. Interior and graphic designers are taught study courses Drawing I–VII, Painting I–V, Composition in Design I–IV, Plein Air I, II.
She works in the field of textile art and is a member of the Latvian Artists Union and the Latvian Textile Art Association.

Austra Avotina – Dr. paed., associate professor at the University of Latvia FEPA.
She is a researcher in art education, an author of monographs, study books and articles, and participated in international projects as an expert: e.g., ESFP – Development of visual art teachers professional and pedagogical competence; the Implementing competency-based curriculum project in Latvia (Skola2030) and represented interests of the University of Latvia in European Network of Observatories in the Field of Arts and Cultural Education linked to UNESCO (ENO).

Inguna Karlsone – Dr. paed., Mg. arch., assistant professor at the University of Latvia FEPA.
Scientific interests: architecture, design, design education, pedagogy, spatial reasoning.
She works at the University of Latvia since 2008 in the professional bachelor’s study programme “Art”; since 2020 in the professional bachelor’s study programme “Teacher” and the master’s study programme “Technology Innovation and Design for Education”. During this period, the study courses Basics of Architecture, Universal Design, Universal Design in Education, and Environment Design have been developed and taught.


In: Human, Technologies and Quality of Education, 2023. Proceedings of Scientific Papers = Cilvēks, tehnoloģijas un izglītības kvalitāte, 2023. Rakstu krājums
Riga, University of Latvia, 2023. 796 p. Ed. L. Daniela
https://doi.org/10.22364/htqe.2023
ISBN 978-9934-36-116-6