Percipigraphy (noun) /pɚˌsɪˈpɪɡrəfi/
Definition: An observant practice of visually recording perceptual attunement to affordances in one’s environment, closely regarding the agency of the context in which the practitioner resides and the emergence of dynamic transformations through visual means.
Beholding and Being Held
I think education should engage learners and recognize that learning is complex, moving away from one-size-fits-all methods. Drawing is suggested as a way to actively apply ecological theory. I use drawing to highlight tensions and find solutions in traditional learning settings. By exploring personalized visual expression and representational methods, I want to clarify how they affect learning results and actions. I focus on how drawing influences both learning and behavior.
“Out There” and “In Here”
Drawing holds significant historical importance as both a thoughtful and physical activity, contrasting sharply with modern academic views. Recent studies highlight drawing's role in human thought and our connection to the world through the experience of making drawings. Drawing is not just an individual task; it is a lively and changing element across different fields of study. Various scholarly viewpoints reveal that debates over art and design education have deep historical roots.
What exists "out there"? How does it become something we can understand? Drawing goes beyond merely copying or recreating images; it reflects our interaction with the world. It is a skill that not only demands intelligence but also enhances it for those who practice it. There is a misunderstanding today about the separation between the external world and the mind, leading to the belief that simply recording thoughts can reveal how our brains function.
Cognitive Drawing Curriculum
Drawing is the foundation of expression and uniquely human. It's the first step in showing how we see the world. A drawing doesn't need much—just a moment to slow down. It doesn't have to be perfect; even a rough sketch can convey meaning to the viewer. Simple tools directly connect our minds to our work, but we’re doing it less these days. Drawing lies between experiential understanding and traditional academic concepts. Its importance over thousands of years shows that drawing is a valuable skill to pass down. It reflects a strong biological basis and has helped create many modern conveniences. Drawing cuts through barriers and connects ideas with basic marks and tools. It is both a starting point and a way to learn. Through drawing, we can explore how we think and question traditional views in education.
The above discusses the noticeable fear in artistic expression and its decline in education. People often worry about how true their work looks and whether it achieves the status of a "masterpiece." This focus can be a mistake in education. Instead, if we concentrate on learning as a process—even just thinking through it—we can better appreciate all aspects of creativity and challenge stereotypes, allowing us to apply drawing in practical fields and improve its role in academics.
The practical use of drawing helps with memory, accuracy, and flexibility, showing its connection to cognitive science. This work looks at how people perceive and connect intentionality, visual expression, and the act of seeing. It aims to clarify how drawing helps us make meaning. Taking an ecological and active approach challenges traditional education that often overlooks context. Drawing blurs the line between learners and their surroundings, serving as a strong tool to rethink and break down current learning frameworks and offering insights into how we interact and share information.
Drawing is not just art; it is a powerful tool that can change how we think, learn, and see the world. This research supports a new way of learning, where drawing helps us connect more deeply with our experiences and understand our humanity.
This exploration starts in education and branches out to various fields and ideas. In Western cultures, we have established a narrow view of knowledge, mostly valuing subjects like math and science. This view relies heavily on words and is praised for its consistency. However, in today's digital age, where Artificial Intelligence is advancing rapidly, this traditional understanding of knowledge is struggling.
The arts, once seen as unimportant, are now recognized as significant forms of intelligence. I wonder if we can merge language with drawing, empowering the next generation to express their ideas visually and bring new concepts to life on the page.