Visualisation Drawing

Notes for Teachers

• Learning Objectives
  • To begin to understand how our ability to visualise works and so develop some exercises that may improve it.
• Age Range

  Suitable for 7-16 years.

• Time Required

  The activity takes approximately one hour.

• National Curriculum Targets: Art & Design

  A high-quality art and design education should engage, inspire and challenge pupils, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to experiment, invent and create their own works of art, craft and design.

• National Curriculum Targets: Science

  The national curriculum for science aims to ensure that all pupils develop scientific conceptual understanding, and develop an understanding of the nature, processes and methods of science.

• Things You'll Need

  The ‘King Olaf’s Mad Machines’ worksheet (download from resource), A4 or A3 paper, pencils.

• Extending The Lesson

  Really scrutinise the original designs to make sure pupils are thinking carefully about the subtle details of their design; how it will be held in place, operated etc.

• Supporting The Lesson

  Simplify the task to concentrate on smaller, more focussed problems.

• Assessment Guidance

  High ability visualisers will construct more elaborate devices, perhaps even outlandish, impossible machines. Some might struggle to think in this way and need the support of more concentrated, simpler activities.

• Artist Links

  Look at the work of Rube Goldberg, or Heath Robinson.

  https://www.rubegoldberg.com/

  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/W._Heath_Robinson

• Cross-Curricular

  Ask the pupils to think about how the ability to visualise information in your mind might relate to other subjects in the school. Can it help you in other ways?