An evaluation on the contribution of basic design course to creativity in vocational and technical education: Isparta example

Plastic arts is an interdisciplinary field of expertise that includes sociological, psychological, environmental, and cultural issues in parallel with developments in technology and knowledge. This field offers the opportunity to increase sensitivity to the understanding of graphics, color, volume, space, and aesthetic form while developing the culture and experience of various artistic techniques. Especially in the first year, plastic arts education introduces students to an educational environment that also includes abstract information. The sample of this study includes 30 students taking the basic design course in plastic arts at Isparta Gül Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School. At this point, the Basic Design course, which forms the basis of plastic arts education, needs to be taught with the right pedagogical approaches that will allow students to discover their talents and produce creative solutions. In this study, the contribution of the basic design course in plastic arts to creativity was examined. In this context, literature reviews were conducted on current learning theories with different approaches to be developed in the process of plastic arts education and the Basic Design course, and relational research results of the obtained data were obtained. In this process, it is thought to reach out to students about whether they are creative or not, whether creativity can develop, and different suggestions that design education should or could have to support their creative processes. Whether the results of the design education received in the first year of Isparta Gül Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School Plastic Arts students, who come from different environments and education systems, turn into an educational and creative process for the students, it is presented with the students' evaluation styles. The research results suggest updating the curriculum of basic design courses to enhance students' abilities in creative thinking, detailing, and transitioning from concrete to abstract subjects. The results are important in terms of reaching a better level of education and setting an example. It is believed that the result will serve as data for students, instructors, and the next education system and will be an innovative way for the future.