Metaphors We Teach By: Understanding

Ourselves as Teachers and Learners

• Author: Mary Ann Bowman, Western Michigan University

• Presented by: Yacouba Sidibe

Outline

• Definition of metaphor

• The Power of Metaphor

- Metaphors as a global term

- Strength and limitations of metaphor

messages

- Use of metaphor as interpretation of reality and experience

Outline (continue…)

• Teaching Metaphors- Teaching based on the “Teaching is telling” metaphor

- Another metaphor of teaching “Teaching is like banking”

- The powerover relationship metaphor

- The metaphor of teaching as “gardening”

- The metaphor of teaching as “cooking”

- The metaphor of teaching as “coaching”

Outline (continue…)

• Importance of metaphors to technical writing

• Conclusion

Definition of Metaphor

• Metaphor is defined as the replacement of one idea or object with another, used to assist expression or understanding.

• “Living” metaphors: considered as original metaphors (the internet is an information superhighway.)

• “Dead” metaphors: incorporated into normal usage (I am open to suggestions.)

Metaphor as a Global Term

• Metaphor is usually used to compare two unlike things, which in result improve our understanding.

• Metaphor can be used as “filter” for our perceptions. If inaccurately used, they may distort information or cause false generalizations.

Strength and limitation of metaphor messages

• Metaphors are most of the time below our level of conscious awareness.

• Metaphors powerfully influence us, shaping our perspectives and actions.

Use of metaphor as interpretation of reality and experience

• “My Love is a flower” suggests delicacy and beauty.

• “My love is an open book” suggests honesty and frankness.

• “My love is a rock” suggests stability and permanence.

• “My love is my life” suggests dedication and total dependence.

Teaching Metaphors

• Most basic metaphor is “teaching is telling”

-Teacher possesses knowledge and students learn when told the information.

• Another metaphor is “teaching is banking”

-knowledge in the head of teacher, who deposits information in the head of students.

• “The teacher is the master, the student the disciple” metaphor.

-Teacher’s expertise and authority exert control over students

Teaching Metaphors (continue…)

• An additional metaphor is “teaching is gardening”-teacher makes learning and growth possible by tending the garden of new learners.

• “teaching is cooking” metaphor-teacher as a master chef cooks with students creating together.

• Finally “teaching is coaching” metaphor-teacher motivate, inspire students to achieve their potential as learners.

Importance of Metaphors to Technical Writing

• The field of IT, like many other field of study, deals with metaphors in a regular basis.

• The importance of metaphors in IT is to become more familiar with the different terminologies.-”windows” screens displayed on the computer monitor remind of window frames.

• Metaphors also simplify concepts.

Conclusion

• We use metaphors all the time to help define our role and purpose in the classroom.

• Metaphors come from personal experience and are being used in students everyday life.

• Most student and sometimes even teachers are not aware of their use because they use them so much.

• Teachers need to have a conscious awareness of dominant metaphors because they influence behavior.