Influence of technical drawing on the development of spatial visualization ability: a systematic literature review
Issue
Section
Keywords:
Spatial intelligence, spatial skills, technical drawing, secondary education
Published
Abstract
In recent years, a worrying decline in students' spatial skills has been observed, affecting their performance in technical drawing and in areas such as engineering, architecture, and design. This research addresses this problem by analyzing the relationship between technical drawing and the development of spatial skills in secondary education students, following the PRISMA systematic review methodology. Databases such as Scopus, Web of Science, and Eric were used, ultimately selecting eight records for review. The results highlight a bidirectional relationship between technical drawing and spatial skills, and the positive influence of these skills on academic performance and preparation for university courses related to architecture, engineering, and design, as well as for job profiles linked to digital manufacturing and the computer-aided design industry. The conclusions highlight the scarcity of specific studies in secondary education on the teaching of technical drawing and its impact on spatial vision, as well as the importance of innovative methodologies that combine theory and practice. Furthermore, a trend toward the use of emerging technologies, such as augmented reality and 3D modelling, in the teaching of technical drawing is observed. Finally, the need for further research is highlighted to address existing gaps and expand knowledge about the relationship between technical drawing and spatial skills in different educational contexts.Supporting agencias
NoLicense
Copyright (c) 2025 Oscar Ripoll Chacón

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Authors publishing in this journal agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain copyright and grant in the journal the right of first publication of the work, registered under a Creative Commons acknowledgement licence (CC BY-NC-SA), which allows dissemination with acknowledgement of authorship and first publication in this journal.
- Authors may independently enter into other contractual arrangements to allow publication of the version published in this journal in other media (e.g., in an institutional repository or in a book), with acknowledgement of initial publication in this journal.
- Authors have permission to publish their work online and are encouraged to do so (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) before and during the submission process, because it can produce good results and lead to the published work receiving more citations (see The Effect of Open Access).
PRIVACY STATEMENT
Names and email addresses on the journal website will only be used for the uses indicated in this journal and will not be made available for any other use or to third parties.
Downloads
References
Alvarez, F. J. A., Parra, E. B. B., & De Paula Montes‐Tubío, F. (2017). Incorporation of 3D ICT elements into class. Computer Applications In Engineering Education, 25(3), 542-549. https://doi.org/10.1002/cae.21802
Anamova, R. R., & Nartova, L. G. (2019). GEOMETRIC SPATIAL ABILITY AS AN ELEMENT OF COGNITIVE LEARNING PROCESS. Periódico Tchê Química, 16(32), 542-550. https://doi.org/10.52571/ptq.v16.n32.2019.560_periodico32_pgs_542_550.pdf
Araya, R. G., & Alfaro, E. B. (2010). La enseñanza y aprendizaje de la geometría en secundaria, la perspectiva de los estudiantes. Educare, 14(2), 125-142. https://doi.org/10.15359/ree.14-2.9
Armstrong, T. (2001). Inteligencias múltiples: cómo descubrirlas y estimularlas en sus hijos. Norma S A Editorial.
Arnheim, R. (2004). Art and Visual Perception, Second Edition: A Psychology of the Creative Eye. Univ of California Press.
Arslan, A. R., & Dazkir, S. S. (2017). Technical Drafting and Mental Visualization in Interior Architecture Education. International Journal For The Scholarship Of Teaching And Learning, 11(2). https://doi.org/10.20429/ijsotl.2017.110215
Baltaci, Ş., & Çeti̇N, S. (2022). The Effect of Augmented Reality on Achievement and Spatial Visualization Skills in Technical Drawing Course. Journal Of Learning And Teaching In Digital Age, 7(2), 250-259. https://doi.org/10.53850/joltida.1047477
Bruno, F. B., Da Silva, R. P., Da Silva, T. L. K., & Teixeira, F. G. (2018). Design-Based Learning Supported by Empirical-Concrete Learning Objects in Descriptive Geometry. En Advances in intelligent systems and computing (pp. 1502-1510). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-95588-9_133
Campbell, L., Campbell, B., & Dickinson, D. (2004). Teaching and Learning Through Multiple Intelligences. Allyn & Bacon.
Carrión, M. T. P., Prieto, J. I. F., Boza, R. E. P., Tomás, R., Cardona, M. G. S., & Del Carmen Díaz Ivorra, M. (2006). Las maquetas como material didáctico para la enseñanza y aprendizaje de la lectura e interpretación de planos en la ingeniería. INGEGRAF. https://rua.ua.es/dspace/bitstream/10045/21685/1/Comunicacion17052.pdf
Clinciu, R. (2013). Graphical Representation of Solids - An Important Issue in Teaching Technical Drawing. Applied Mechanics And Materials, 371, 493-498. https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/amm.371.493
Gardner, H. E. (1993). Multiple intelligences: The Theory In Practice, A Reader. Basic Books.
Garmendia, M., Guisasola, J., & Sierra, E. (2007). First-year engineering students’ difficulties in visualization and drawing tasks. European Journal Of Engineering Education, 32(3), 315-323. https://doi.org/10.1080/03043790701276874
Huerta, O., Unver, E., Aslan, R., Kus, A., & Chotrov, D. (2019). Application of VR and AR Tools for Technical Drawing Education. Proceedings Of CAD’19. https://doi.org/10.14733/cadconfp.2019.363-366
Hunt, M. M. (1997). How Science Takes Stock: The Story of Meta-Analysis. http://ci.nii.ac.jp/ncid/BA4172987X
Ingale, S., Srinivasan, A., & Bairaktarova, D. (2017). CAD Platform Independent Software for Automatic Grading of Technical Drawings. ASME 2017 International Design Engineering Technical Conferences And Computers And Information In Engineering Conference. https://doi.org/10.1115/detc2017-67612
Lane, D., Lynch, R., & McGarr, O. (2018). Problematizing spatial literacy within the school curriculum. International Journal Of Technology And Design Education, 29(4), 685-700. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10798-018-9467-y
Li, T. W., Xiao, Z., Goldstein, M., Philpott, M., & Woodard, B. (2024). Evaluating an Intelligent Sketching Feedback Tool for Scalable Spatial Visualization Skill Training. 2021 ASEE Virtual Annual Conference Content Access Proceedings. https://doi.org/10.18260/1-2--37102
Mathewson, J. H. (1999). Visual-spatial thinking: An aspect of science overlooked by educators. Science Education, 83(1), 33-54. https://doi.org/10.1002/(sici)1098-237x(199901)83:1
McGarr, O., & Seery, N. (2011). Parametric Pedagogy: Integrating parametric CAD in Irish post-primary schools. Design And Technology Education : An International Journal, 16(2), 57-66. http://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ960116.pdf
Meca, J. S. (2010). Cómo realizar una revisión sistemática y un meta-análisis*. Aula Abierta, 38(2), 53-64. https://dialnet.unirioja.es/descarga/articulo/3316651.pdf
Miranda, V. (2009). Cognición espacial en la representación gráfico-geométrica. Arquiteturarevista, 5(1), 15-24. https://doi.org/10.4013/arq.2009.51.02
Mohler, J. L., & Miller, C. L. (2008). Improving Spatial Ability with Mentored Sketching. Engineering Design Graphics Journal, 72(1), 19-27. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ854211
Ogunkola, B. J., & Knight, C. (2018). Does technical drawing increase students’ mental rotation ability? Cogent Education, 5(1), 1489209. https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186x.2018.1489209
Ogunkola, B. J., & Knight, C. (2019). Technical drawing course, video games, gender, and type of school on spatial ability. The Journal Of Educational Research, 112(5), 575-589. https://doi.org/10.1080/00220671.2019.1592092
Olvera-García, E., Marín-Granados, M. D., & Ortíz-Zamora, F. J. (2019). Improving Spatial Abilities and Comprehension in Technical Drawing Students Through the Use of Innovative Activities and Augmented Reality. En Lecture notes in mechanical engineering (pp. 780-788). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-12346-8_76
Page, M. J., McKenzie, J. E., Bossuyt, P. M., Boutron, I., Hoffmann, T., Mulrow, C. D., Shamseer, L., Tetzlaff, J., Akl, E. A., Brennan, S., Chou, R., Glanville, J., Grimshaw, J., Hróbjartsson, A., Lalu, M. M., Li, T., Loder, E., Mayo‐Wilson, E., McDonald, S., . . . Moher, D. (2021). The PRISMA 2020 statement: an updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. BMJ, n71. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.n71
Paniagua, K. L., & Vega, M. U. (2008). La teoría de las inteligencias múltiples en la práctica docente en educación preescolar. Educare, 12(1), 135-149. https://doi.org/10.15359/ree.12-1.10
Papakostas, C., Troussas, C., Krouska, A., & Sgouropoulou, C. (2023). PARSAT: Fuzzy logic for adaptive spatial ability training in an augmented reality system. Computer Science And Information Systems, 20(4), 1389-1417. https://doi.org/10.2298/csis230130043p
Prieto, G., & Velasco, A. D. (2006). Visualização espacial, raciocínio indutivo e rendimento acadêmico em desenho técnico. Psicologia Escolar E Educacional, 10(1), 11-20. https://doi.org/10.1590/s1413-85572006000100002
Šafhalter, A., Glodež, S., Šorgo, A., & Virtič, M. P. (2020a). Development of spatial thinking abilities in engineering 3D modeling course aimed at lower secondary students. International Journal Of Technology And Design Education, 32(1), 167-184. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10798-020-09597-8
Sharma, G. V. S. S., Prasad, C. L. V. R. S. V., & Rambabu, V. (2021). Online machine drawing pedagogy—A knowledge management perspective through maker education in theCOVID‐19 pandemic era. Knowledge And Process Management, 29(3), 231-241. https://doi.org/10.1002/kpm.1684
Tartre, L. A. (1990). Spatial Orientation Skill and Mathematical Problem Solving. Journal For Research In Mathematics Education, 21(3), 216. https://doi.org/10.2307/749375
Tzuriel, D., & Egozi, G. (2010). Gender Differences in Spatial Ability of Young Children: The Effects of Training and Processing Strategies. Child Development, 81(5), 1417-1430. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8624.2010.01482.x
Uria, E. S., Mujika, M. G., & Apraiz, L. B. (2012). Solving the problem of interpreting views: teaching the part visualization process. International Journal Of Engineering Education, 28(3), 663-673. https://dialnet.unirioja.es/servlet/articulo?codigo=7390567
Uttal, D. H., Meadow, N. G., Tipton, E., Hand, L. L., Alden, A. R., Warren, C., & Newcombe, N. S. (2013b). The malleability of spatial skills: A meta-analysis of training studies. Psychological Bulletin, 139(2), 352-402. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0028446
Voyer, D., Voyer, S., & Bryden, M. P. (1995). Magnitude of sex differences in spatial abilities: A meta-analysis and consideration of critical variables. Psychological Bulletin, 117(2), 250-270. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.117.2.250
Wysocki, A. F., Sorby, S. A., & Baartmans, B. G. (2003). Introduction to 3D Spatial Visualization: An Active Approach. https://www.iberlibro.com/9781401813895/Introduction-Spatial-Visualization-Active-Approach-1401813895/plp

